A homage to CUT alumni

Index

Message from the Alumni President

Gauteng CUT alumni are proud ambassadors

2105/2016 launch of Alumni Chapters

Background

Our alumni executive committee

CUT alumni on the walls of fame

Information on the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology

Woman on a mission takes the CUT brand abroad

Lesley knows how to play with fire

Bernard Matsoso brings the global experience home

Barend Olivier takes his career as a marathon not a sprint

Information on the Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences

Kitso Knowledge Timenyane lives the CUT dream of entrepreneurship

Nico shares his wealth of knowledge with the world

Letshego finds solutions to killer cancer

Former CUT young farmer flies high

Fezile Sonkwala expresses his freedom ofspeech

Sello Maduna is a man of many talents.

CUT alumna aspires to be a giant farming enterprise in SADC regions

Tony seizes the moment to live his dream

Information on the Faculty of Management Sciences

David Mohale is a born leader

Teboho lives to make a difference

Beauty lies in the eyes of the artist

Engineer and researcher aims to bring change

Information on the Faculty of Humanities

Thandiwe “Meme” Mohale is a dedicated change facilitator

Dr Rodney Jacobs takes his skills abroad

Shadrack dedicates his leadership success to CUT

Nothing is impossible under the sun for Mokete Litelu

Vuyo perseveres against all odds

Information on International office

Zola Budd made global headlines in the 90s

Two time world cup winner from CUT

Sports legends

Legends in the making

How you can be actively involved as a CUT alumni

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Our VisionBy 2020, the Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT) shall be an engaged university that focuses on producing quality social and technological innovations in socio-economic developments, primarily in the Central region of South Africa.

Our MissionOur Core Values: Customer service | Integrity | Diversity | Innovation | Excellence

About CUTThe Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT) is the foremost higher education institution in the heartland of South Africa, dedicated to quality education and training in Science, Engineering, and Technology.

Over the past 35 years, CUT has developed into a leading institution able to take its place in the national as well as international higher education landscape. This year the university, an intellectual home for many, boasts more than 15 200 students who have decided to make CUT their academic partner in earning a qualification and gaining appropriate experiential training. CUT offers more than 50 programmes at its two campuses-Bloemfontein and Welkom.

I am deeply honoured to be part of this very first addition of the CUT alumni publication-Triumph. To share the CUT’s milestones on so many fronts with our honoured alumni, is nothing less than exciting, and something to look forward to. CUT’s milestones, which happen more frequently than most of us realise, includes the remarkable strides so many of our very own alumni have made in South Africa and the rest of the world. We need to share this. Moreover, what better way to do this than by way of our very own publication? As a very proud alumnus of the CUT and the President of the Alumni Association, I appeal to all to share your stories with us. We have conclusive evidence that, although we are one of the smallest universities in South Africa, we do not have to play second fiddle when it comes to the quality of our education, and to what we have done with our education in the world out there. Our alumni comprises of ex-students from the Technikon Free State, the Welkom campus of Vista University, and of course CUT. This means that we have more ex-students as alumni. We want to know more about you, and we surely need to share your stories with others. However, this publication can never be a success without your contribution. We need you to inform us about the contributions you have made towards uplifting the economy and what you have done from your graduation year until this far. We also need you to be part of the decision making process at CUT. To do all this we need to hear from you.

Message from the Alumni President

Alumni President

Gauteng CUT Alumni are proud ambassadorsCUT launched the second Alumni Chapter in Johannesburg. The launch came a month after the Free State launch in Bloemfontein. At the launch some of the proud CUT-Gauteng alumni pledged to live the CUT brand not only for the launch, but also continuously forging close ties with former CUT students who continue to show interest and keep track of the university’s progress. The launch offered an opportunity for CUT to share its vision and exchange ideas on how best the alumnus could contribute to the advancement of the university. A home for all its graduates, CUT remains an intellectual home and support base for the Alumni and as CUT’s advocates and ambassadors, they constitute the most important constituency of the university and highly valued partners, stakeholders and pillars of society.

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Gauteng CUT Alumni are proud ambassadorsCUT launched the second Alumni Chapter in Johannesburg. The launch came a month after the Free State launch in Bloemfontein. At the launch some of the proud CUT-Gauteng alumni pledged to live the CUT brand not only for the launch, but also continuously forging close ties with former CUT students who continue to show interest and keep track of the university’s progress. The launch offered an opportunity for CUT to share its vision and exchange ideas on how best the alumnus could contribute to the advancement of the university. A home for all its graduates, CUT remains an intellectual home and support base for the Alumni and as CUT’s advocates and ambassadors, they constitute the most important constituency of the university and highly valued partners, stakeholders and pillars of society.

7Triumph | 2016

Gauteng CUT alumni are proud ambassadorsCUT launched the second Alumni Chapter in Johannesburg. The launch came a month after the Free State launch in Bloemfontein. At the launch some of the proud CUT-Gauteng alumni pledged to live the CUT brand not only for the launch, but also continuously forging close ties with former CUT students who continue to show interest and keep track of the university progress. The launch offered an opportunity for CUT to share its vision and exchange ideas on how best the alumnus could contribute to the advancement of the university. A home for all its graduates, CUT remains an intellectual home and support base for the alumni and as CUT’s advocates and ambassadors, they constitute the most important constituency of the university and highly valued partners, stakeholders and pillars of society.

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CUT alumni breakfast and elections held in Johannesburg, Gauteng.

2015/2016 launch of Alumni Chapters

CUT Alumni Chapter is a branch in an area where there is a concentration of former students of the institution. It executes programmes which supports the Central University of Technology, Free State’s mission and vision. CUT Alumni Chapter participants provide valuable feedback to the university on how to serve alumni,

what type of information alumni wish to receive, what connections they wish to make and how they wish to participate in the university life.

CUT Welkom Alumni Chapter launch.

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BackgroundMarch and September at CUT are joyous and celebratory times to thousands of students who are graduating and celebrating their achievements after completing their studies.

CUT adopted and implemented ten graduate attributes that underpins its academic learning programmes which will be further developed and integrated through teaching and learning, curriculum and other activities.

Work Integrated Learning (WIL) and Skills Development is a compulsory practical component of academic programmes through which students are prepared for the world of work and placed in companies in order to gain much needed work experience while still studying. The career office at CUT enhances students and graduates employability through a series of meaningful events that focuses on matters pertaining to the development and recruitment, ranging from the career development of students to graduate recruitment.

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Scenes of jubilation from the Faculty of Management Science graduates at Welkom campus.Front row, from left: M Sekonyela, L Mosebi and T Mosia.

Second row, from left: N Borole, L Ncinza, P Motsie and M Makoko.Third row, from left: Mr M Thasi, Human Resources Management Lecturer; L Leotlela and M Botsane.

Back row, from left: M Mothapo and M Monare.

Below follows a short overview and highlights from the 2016 autumn and spring graduations.

2016 graduation statistics

- Approximately 3 397 candidates graduated in 2016 spring and autumn graduation ceremony as compared to 2 879 in 2015- 19 Doctoral degrees in 2016 compared to eight in 2015.- 61 Masters compared to 16 candidates in 2015- Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology: 886 compared with 666 in 2015.- Faculty of Health and Environmental Science: 467 compared to 416 in 2015.- Faculty of Humanities: 758 compared 780 in 2015.- Faculty of Management Sciences: 1286 compared 1056 in 2015.

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QualificationsDoctor Technologiae: Business Administration, School for Entrepreneurship and Business Development,CUT• MBA, University of Wales in collaboration with the CUT• Bachelor of Arts (Hons)

Employment History• Lecturer (University of the Western Cape) 2014 - Current• Owner/Founder Consultancy: 2013 - Current• CEO (NMMU Trust) 2012 -2013 Director (Cape Peninsula University of Technology) 2009 -2011• Senior Director (Central University of Technology, Free State) 2001-2009• Office Manager, Area Manager, Regional Manager (Prestasi Brokers) 1996 -2001• Lecturer (College of Education) 1990 - 1996• Teacher (High School) 1983 -1989

Qualifications •B. Tech(Public Management) CUT- 2001 - 2004• Certificate: Emerging Managers Development Programed-University of Fort Hare-2009• B Public Admin (HONS) University of Stellenbosch-2013

Employment History• Exam Assistant (Part-time), CUT- 2005• Residence Coordinator (Warden) 2004 – 2005• Administrator (Part-Time), Department of sports and recreation- 2005• Zimisile Service Delivery Programme Manager, Department of Public Works (Kimberly) 2006-2007• Manager, RENS Business Consulting, Greater Sekhukhune District Municipality-2008-2009• Manager, Policy Coordination, Research and Development Office, Northern Cape (Office of the Premier)

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Dr GA van Gensen: Alumni President Mr KE Moremi: Alumni Treasurer

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QualificationsPGCE (2014)BTech: Language Practice (2013)National Certificate: Language Practice (CUT), 2012

Employment HistoryEducator: Wadela Technical High School (Carletonville) – currentStudent Assistant: Student Administration at CUT Welkom Campus 2010 -2015

Leadership RoleCUT Welkom Campus SRC: Financial Officer, 2009 – 2010

Mr KA Tumeli: Additional Member

Qualifications• National Diploma (Internal Auditing) Technikon Free State, 2002• B Tech (Internal Auditing) Tshwane University of Technology• Post Graduate Diploma (Internal Auditing) University of South Africa

Employment History• National Treasury S.A, Deputy Director: current, Assistant Director: Finance 2010-2012, AssistantDirector Finance, Revenue & Expenditure, 2009-2010, Financial Administration Specialist 2003- 2009• Department of Public Works, Accounting Clerk, 2002-2003• Accounting Clerk (Internship programme) South African Management Development Institute, 2002.

Ms EM Matebesi: Deputy President

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QualificationsAdvanced Diploma in Higher Education, University of Free State (UFS) 2014Short Programme Certificate in Project Management, University of Free State (UFS) 2012B.Tech: Office Management and Technology, Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT) 2005 N DIP Office Management and Technology, Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT) 2004

Employment HistoryStudent Services Secretary to the Deputy Registrar: Student Services CUT- 2005 - Current ResidenceLife Acting Assistant Residence Manager 2012Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Student Services, Student Temporary Employment Program (STEP) Administration 2003- 2005Experiential Training: Communication Services, Free State Department of Education-2002

QualificationsPHD Candidate with UNISA, currentMaster’s Degree: Public Policy, Wits University (2013)BA Cum Laude: Political Science and English as majors (2006), CUT

Employment History Senior Manager: Office of the Speaker, Matjhabeng Local Municipality - CurrentSenior Researcher: office of the Speaker, Matjhabeng Local Municipality, 2011Chief of Staff: Office of the Mayor, Masilonyana Local Municipality, 2010-2011Communications Officer: Masilonyana Local Municipality from 2006 - 2010Former student Assistant: English Department, CUT Welkom Campus

Leadership RolePresently : Spokesperson of the ANC in Lejweleputswa2007 – 2014: Deputy Chairperson of the CUT Convocation2010 – 2012 : Member of the ANCYL Provincial Executive Committee and Spokesperson2007 – 2009: Member of the Young Communist League Provincial Executive Committee2003 – 2006 : Deputy Chairperson and Chairperson of South African Students Congress in the Free State, SRC President in CUT Welkom Campus (2 terms, Member of CUT Council and Senate.

Mr DM Mohale: Additional MemberMs NB Nelani: Additional Member

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Qualifications• National Diploma: Office Management and Technology (CUT)• Postgraduate Certificate Education (CUT)• Clinical Laboratory Specimen Reception Certificate (NHLS)• Postgraduate Diploma Clinical Research (JLI)

Employment History• Contract Facilitator at Matthew Goniwe School of Leadership: 2014• Part-time Lecturer IMM School of Marketing, Sandton: 2013• Managing Director at Gama Research Consultants• Laboratory Assistant at National Health Laboratory Services: 2005 - 2007• Clinical Data Coordinator at Quintiles Transnational: 2007 - 2009• Senior Clinical Data Analyst at PAREXEL International: 2009 – 2012• Part-time Lecturer at Motheo FET College: 2012-2012.

Qualifications• National Diploma( Human Resources Management)• BTech (Human Resources Management)• Btech (Project Management)

Employment History• South African Social Security Agency (SASSA).

Mr TA Tsatsa: Additional Member Mr GM Cindi: Additional MemberC

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CUT Alumni on the walls of fame

CUT has a proud history of honouring prominent leaders and world-renowned individuals for their leadership roles in society and their contributions to the advancement of human kind and CUT as a young and innovation institution. Among the recipients of CUT’s honorary doctorates are the late Dr Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, Dr Kader Asmal, Dr Sankie Mthembi-Mahanyele, Dr Khotso Mokhele, Dr T Wohler, Dr Trevor Manuel, Dr Pravin Gordhan, Dr Boet Troskie, Dr Herman Mashaba, Dr Gill Marcus, Dr Zakes Mda, Dr Desmond Tutu and Dr Petrus Rantlai Molemela.

In 2001 CUT awarded an Honorary Degree (honoris causa) Doctor Technologiae: Education to the late first black president of South Africa and anti-apartheid revolutionist. The university was inspired by Madiba’s valuable contribution in advancing education and his courage for creating non-racial, non-sexist, democratic, and prosperous nation. For CUT, this was a rare privilege as the only former Technikon at the time to have awarded Mr Mandela with an honorary doctoral degree.

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In September 2003, Dr Trevor Manuel (2nd from left), former Minister of Finance and subsiquently as minister in the presidency for National Planning Commission received an Honorary Degree (honoris causa) - Doctor Technologiae: Business Management for his high level of professional knowledge, academic performance, financial expertise, socio-economic vision, and leadership. He is with L-R: Former Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Bertus Koorts, and Mr Mosiuoa Patrick Lekota, Chancellor at the time, the late Me Winkie Direko-Former Premier of Free State and Judge GF Wright (Chairperson of Council at the time).

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On 7 May 2004, the late Prof. Abdul Kader Asmal received an Honorary Degree (honoris causa) - Doctor Technologiae: Education. Abdul Kader Asmal was a South African politician, a professor of human rights at the University of the Western Cape, chairman of council of the University of the North and Vice-President of the African Association of International Law.

He is seen herewith Mr Teboho Loate- former Chairperson of Council, Dr Terry Wohlers who was also awarded an Honorary Degree (honoris causa) - Doctor Technologiae: Mechanical Engineering. He is also President of Wohler Associates, Colorado- USA, former Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Bertus Koorts and Ms MA Pyoos (management).

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Dr Garth van Gensen, current CUT Alumni President received his doctorate at the same graduations as Dr Desmond Tutu and Dr Petrus Rantlai Molemela in 2006. Dr Desmond Tutu was awarded an Honorary Degree (honoris causa) Doctor Technologiae: Education for his long commitment to eduction and Dr Petrus Rantlai Molemela, founder of Bloemfontein Celtics football club, was awarded Honorary Degree (honoris causa) Doctor Technologiae: Management for his contribution in sports development. The three doctors are flanked by Prof. Chris Jansen van Rensburg, Acting Vice-Chancellor and Principal at the time.

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The 2007 Honorary Degree (honoris causa) Doctor Technologiae: Management was awarded to Dr Cornelius Abraham Boet Troskie, former CUT Chancellor and business mogul. Dr Boet Troskie is a well-known Bloemfontein resident dedicated to marketing the city in South Africa and Internationally by means of his passionate involvement in the film and music entertainment business, as well as his retail endeavours. In addition he has invested personally and financially in CUT by occupying various positions on council (when the institution was still known as Technikon Free State), including that of chairperson. He is seen here with Prof. Piet le Roux, Dean of the Faculty of Management Sciences at the time and former Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Prof. Thandwa Mthembu.

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Dr Pravin Jamandas Gordhan, current Minister of Finance and former Commissioner for the South African Revenue Service of the Republic of South Africa and Minister of Corporative Governance and Traditional Affairs received an Honorary Degree (honoris causa) Doctor Technologiae: Business Administration during the graduation ceremony of the School for Entrepreneurship and Business Development in the Faculty of Management Sciences in 2009. The degree was awarded in recognition of his exemplary service as a public servant, especially his visionary leadership in transforming SARS into a highly efficient tax-collection agency operating in full compliance with the founding values and aspirations of the South African democracy. He is joined by former Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Prof. Thandwa Mthembu.

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On 12 March 2013, CUT became the first Higher Education institution in South Africa to award an Honorary Degree (honoris causa) Doctor Technologiae: Business Administration to South African business tycoon and founder of Black Like Me Ltd. , Dr Herman Mashaba. As an institution of higher learning focused on social and technological innovation, the university was honoured to add a world business giant into its alumni. Dr Mashaba is the Executive Mayor of Johannesburg and is flanked by the former Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Prof Thandwa Mthembu.

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On 11 March 2014, CUT had the privilege of honouring the former Governor of the South African Reserve Bank and the first woman to hold that position, Gill Marcus, with Honorary Degree (honoris causa) Doctor Technologiae: Business Administration. The degree was awarded in recognition of an exceptional record of her business related achievements, as well as her contribution to a demanding and challenging business sector. Her inspiration lies in the fact that she succeeded in the very demanding and challenging business sector through an attitude to serve rather than being served. She represents a living symbol of CUT’s Vision 2020. She is seen here with former Vice- Chancellor and Principal, Prof. Thandwa Mthembu, former CUT chairperson of Council, Dr Seane and former CUT Chancellor, Dr Boet Troskie.

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In 2015 Prof. Zakes Mda received an Honorary Degree (honoris causa) Doctor Technologiae: Language Practice for his contribution to language practice in areas of contemporary literature and creative writing. The internationally acclaimed novelist, poet, and playwright, Prof. Mda completed his PhD at the University of Cape Town (UCT) and is a full Professor in creative writing at Ohio University in the USA. His work has been an inspiration to many institutions all over the world and everyone who had worked with him. He is seen here with the former Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Prof. Thandwa Mthembu. Dr Mda is currently a Patron of the Etisalat Prize for Literature.

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Faculty of Engineering and Information TechnologyThe Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology comprises of six departments, namely the department of Built Environment, Civil Engineering, Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering, Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering, Mathematical and Physical Sciences and the department of Information Technology.

Dean of Faculty: Prof. Alfred Ngowi

The Department of Built EnvironmentThe Department of Built Environment prepares diplomates and graduates for careers in structured physical- and cost planning, as well as management of construction projects, such as buildings, civil engineering structures, infrastructure and restoration work.

ProgrammesNational Diploma: BuildingBaccalaureus Technologiae: Construction ManagementBaccalaureus Technologiae: Quantity Surveying

Short coursesGreen Construction BusinessExecutive Development Programme (in partnership with the Washington Academy for Management of Technology)

Head of DepartmentProf. Fidelis EmuzeTel: +27 (0)51 507 3089 | E-mail: femuze@cut.ac.zaSecretary: Ms S PhetoTel.: +27 (0)51 507 3082 | Fax: +27 (0)51 507 3254 | E-mail: spheto@cut.ac.za

The Department of Electrical, Electronic & Computer EngineeringThe Department of Electrical, Electronic & Computer Engineering offers courses in Electrical Engineering: Light Current and Heavy Current as well as Computer Systems Engineering. These courses deal with the study and application of electricity, electronics, electrostatics and electromagnetism – which covers a range of sub-studies including power electronics, control systems, signal processing, and telecommunications.

Programmes

Higher Certificate: Renewable Energy TechnologiesNational Diploma: Engineering: Computer SystemsNational Diploma: Engineering: Electrical (Light Current)National Diploma: Engineering: Electrical (Heavy Current)Baccalaureus Technologiae: Engineering: ElectricalExtended Curriculum Programme: Engineering: Electrical (Light Current)Extended Curriculum Programme: Engineering: Electrical (Heavy Current)

Head of Department

Dr Kanzumba Kusakana (acting)Tel: +27 (0)51 507 3241 | E-mail: kkusakana@cut.ac.zaSecretary: Ms E SimpsonTel.: +27 (0)51 507 3251 | Fax: +27 (0)51 507 3254 | E-mail: esimpson@cut.ac.za

The Department of Information TechnologyThe Department of Information Technology offers programmes in Software Development and Web & Application development. The programmes focusses on the acquisition of knowledge and skills in systems analysis, databases, programming, networks and web publications. Practical work on the computer comprises a major portion of the programme and programming languages include HTML, ASP.Net, C#, Java and SQL.

Programmes

NEW! Diploma: Computer NetworkingNEW! Diploma: Information TechnologyBaccalaureus Technologiae: Information Technology

Short CoursesIT Essentials: PC Hardware and SoftwareCisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) CertificationCisco Certified Network Associate Certification (CCNA Security)

Contact usMs JA van der WesthuizenTel.: +27(0)51 507 3092 | Fax: +27 (0)51 507 3653 | E-mail: it@cut.ac.zaMs R WittesTel.: +27(0)51 507 3100 | Fax: +27 (0)51 507 3653 | E-mail: rwittes@cut.ac.za

Head of DepartmentDr Muthoni MasindeTel: +27 (0)51 507 3091 | E-mail: it@cut.ac.za

The Department of Mathematical and Physical Sciences

The Department of Mathematical and Physical Sciences is a service department, offering mathematics, statistics and physics to students of different faculties at CUT.

Head of Department Dr Harry BrinkTel.: +27 (0)51 507 3087 | Fax: +27 (0)51 507 3254 | E-mail: hbrink@cut.ac.za

The Department of Mechanical & Mechatronic EngineeringThe Department of Mechanical & Mechatronic Engineering focuses on the conception, design, implementation, and operation of mechanical systems. It strives for excellence in education, training, research, and development to meet the wealth creation and upliftment needs of the Free State and South Africa in general. The department provide its diplomates and graduates with sound engineering knowledge that equips them with analytical skills and hands-on laboratory experience and train them with excellent communications skills and hardworking

ProgrammesNational Diploma: Engineering: MechanicalBaccalaureus Technologiae: Engineering: Mechanical

Head of DepartmentMr Nic Du Toit Tel.: +27 (0)51 507 3079 | Fax: +27 (0)51 507 3254 | E-mail: ndutoit@cut.ac.za.

Meet some of our alumni who are representing the university and rising the CUT flag high and are highly competitive to take the world by storm.

Ms Lebohang Selloane, holds a BTech degree in Diagnosis Radiography from CUT and currently finishing her MBA at MANCOSA Graduate School of Business. She is an emerging pioneer with a record of well-established distinction and achievement in innovation and entrepreneurship for public service at local and regional level. Her achievements manifest outstanding personal qualities that brings an acclaim to CUT. She became one of the participants in the June 2015 Nelson Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, a flagship program of President Obama’s Young African Leaders Initiatives (YALI).

A woman on a mission takes CUT brand abroad

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Lebohang Selloane’s business idea of an onsite mobile radiology clinic led her to become the Engen Pitch and Polish entrepreneur competition winner for 2014.

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As a Mandela Washington Fellow, she spent 12 weeks studying Business and Entrepreneurship at the university of Notre Dame and as part of her fellowship at IBM; she participated in a Professional Development Experience (PDE). PDE provided her with the practical training and an opportunity to learn transferable skills, expand her professional network, and apply concepts learned at her Institute to real-world situations. PDE also prepared her for greater leadership roles in her career and helped to advance her career trajectory.

She also honed her leadership skills and networked with other young leaders from sub-Saharan Africa and USA. After her academic residency in the USA , she travelled to Washington, D.C., to participate in a three-day Mandela Washington Fellowship Summit hosted by President Obama. During the summit, she had an opportunity to interact with U.S. leaders in the fields of business, government, and the non-profit sectors. Upon completion of the U.S.-based program, her Fellowship continued in Africa where she had access to ongoing professional development, networking, and a variety of possible funding sources.

The young and hardworking alumna is an entrepreneur from Kutlwanong (Odendaalsrus). She is the Owner and Managing Director of a company called Visionary X-rays, established to offer onsite mobile x-ray services to business communities with employees prone to occupational lung diseases. The company also offers advanced radiology services to the rural areas in a mobile x-ray trailer. In 2014 her business idea of an onsite mobile radiology clinic, which led to the founding of Visionary X-rays, won the Engen Pitch & Polish National competition for entrepreneurs after competing with over 1200 aspiring entrepreneur entrants.

Ms Selloane is keenly aware of the need for access to quality medical services for rural and poor communities. In this regard, the Visionary X-rays objectives are aligned with those of the Rural Health Advocacy Project (RHAP), which aims to help combat the spread of Tuberculosis through preventative disease programmes. She has been a diagnosis radiographer, sales, and marketer for radiology equipment for at least ten years now. Through her community engagement, she co-founded a non-profit organisation, Dream Girls Foundation which focuses on empowering young women through a range of educational and entrepreneurial programs

Lebohang with fellow colleagues at Barbara Johnston/University of Notre

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Some of her achievements are:

• 2015 Forbes Women Africa (South Africa) Innovator of the Year Award Winner• 2015 Business Partners SME Toolkit Business Plan Competition Winner• 2015 Mandela Washington Fellow for Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI)• 2015 Top 100 Fellows Selected for 6 weeks Professional Experience Development at IBM Research

Center in California for Developing strategies for IBM’s Medical Sieve in Africa• 2015 Top 50 Transnet Moving Ideas Finalist• 2015 Sowetan Top 100 Young Bosses• 2014 Engen Pitch and Polish Competition for Entrepreneurs WinnerChairperson & Co-founder of

Dream Girls Foundation – A women empowerment initiative

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Lebohang Selloane (left) and Catherine Hill-Herndon, Deputy Chief of Mission at the United States Embassy in Pretoria.

All smiles at the awards ceremony: Lebohang was named the winner for her achievement on the Visionary X-rays business idea. She is congratulated by Business Partners Executive Director: Christo Botes.

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Lesley Jacobs is a national Programme Director and Co-owner of the Food and Beverage Institute (FBI) and has been in the culinary industry since 1997. He started his career at the Mount Nelson Hotel in Cape Town, where after he was employed at some of the top hotels in South Africa, such as the Saxon Hotel and Spa and the Michelangelo at Sandton Square. He acquired his training artistry from the Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT), the South African College of Tourism and the Campus International Hotel School.

Lesley competed in many national and international competitions. He won the national Chaine des Rotisseurs Jeunne Commis competition in 2003 and obtained third place in an international competition competing with contestants from 18 countries across the globe. Initially seen on the TV programme Roer!, Lesley made a name for himself and printed his personal signature on many of the students training at the FBI. With successful branches in Bloemfontein and Johannesburg (and a Cape Town branch opening in 2017), Lesley is sure to set excellent standards and examples to all enrolling at his training institutes.

He has done food demonstrations for many years and has been involved in food shows in South Africa and The United Emirates. From 2011 to 2014, he was among the official food demonstrators for Caxton Magazines’ reader events for Your Family and Bona Magazines. He completed his MBA at the University of the Free State in November 2015, and is currently pursuing a DTech in Business Administration at CUT.

When asked about the challenges in his career, Lesley said that they are invisible due to the passion he has for his job. “It is not only an ever-changing daily routine, my passion for food, art and training keeps me going.”

Lesley knows how to play with fire

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Bernard at the Millennium Park, Chicago , Illinois - one of the places he visited during his studies at Ohio State University in the USA in 2015.

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Mr Bernard Matsoso started as teaching practice coordinator in the Faculty of Education at Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Cape Town. Before joining CPUT, he worked at UNISA, Pretoria campus, where he was responsible for establishing partnerships with SADC Universities and schools in the interest of foreign students in the College of Education.

The proud CUT alumnus earned various qualifications in his career path, namely: HRM at CUT; B-Tech (HRD) TUT; (PGCE) UNISA; and (PGCE) University of Derby, UK. In 2005, he received Erasmus Mundus Scholarship and studied a master’s degree in local development presented at four european universities in Italy, Germany, Slovenia and Hungary. He is currently completing his master’s programme in HRM with CPUT. His research topic is entitled: “Efficacy of training and development programmes for new administrative staff at a selected university, Western Cape”.

Due to his diverse academic background in Economics, HR and Education, Mr Matsoso spent five years teaching in the best education system in the world such as South Korea and Japan respectively. He has returned from the Ohio State university, Columbus, USA as a visiting scholar but during his visit, he presented a research paper at an international teaching and learning forum entitled “The reaction of supervisors towards an introduction of tablet devices during teaching practicum supervision”. He later attended an international conference on human resources development research and practice held at the University College Cork, Ireland in June 2015 where he presented his current research work. Mr Matsoso’s areas of interest are training and development, teaching practice and ICT in education research.

Mr Matsoso is not new in the higher education landscape, he is now back home and sharing his knowledge, experience and global exposure with the University of the Free State Business School effective from 01 November 2015 as a programme coordinator based in Johannesburg - one of the few University’s strategic positions outside the Free State campuses. Bernard Matsoso is responsible for providing a link between the UFS Business School and its strategic business partners across three provinces such as, Nampak/Clientele/Vodacom (Gauteng), NTK (Limpopo), TWKAGri (Mpumalanga). He coordinates all executive management programmes tailor-made for several companies including academic and financial administrations of the programmes.

Bernard Matsoso brings the global experience home

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Barend Olivier takes his career as a marathon not a sprintBarend Olivier started as the deputy general manager at Southern Sun in Pretoria and later promoted to general manager at Garden Court Kimberley in March 2015.

Olivier studied Hospitality Management at the Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT) in Bloemfontein and started his career at the Hilton Hotel in Durban. He then joined the Tsogo Sun Group at Umhlanga Sands from where he moved to the Sabi River Sun, Southern Sun Bloemfontein and eventually Southern Sun Pretoria.

After completing his studies at the end of 2001, he started his in-service training as a receptionist at the Hilton Hotel in Durban, then the Holiday Inn-Elangeni from where he moved to Umhlanga Sands as assistant guest services manager.

Two years later Barend moved to the beautiful Sabi River Sun Resort as guest services manager. His next move took him back to his roots in the City of Roses as the room’s division manager for Southern Sun Bloemfontein, where he later got promoted as deputy general manager. In 2015, he moved to Southern Sun Pretoria as the deputy general manager where he spent a short time before he was transferred to Garden Court in Kimberley. It was in his excellent leadership as a general manager that the hotel won the TripAdvisor 2015 certificate of excellence, professionalism, and good service.

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The Faculty of Health and Environmental SciencesThe Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences consists of four departments, namely the Department of Agriculture, Clinical Sciences, Health Sciences, and the Department of Life Sciences. The faculty offers tuition in Environmental Health, Agricultural Management, and various health-related disciplines including Clinical Technology, Radiography, Biomedical Technology, Dental Assisting, and Somatology, with specialist fields in most of these disciplines at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

Dean of Faculty: Prof. Sam Mashele

The Department of AgricultureThe Department of Agriculture offers a National Diploma and Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) in Agricultural Management. It also offers master’s and doctoral degrees, as well as post-doctoral fellowships in Agriculture. Agriculture (also called farming or husbandry) involves a set of activities that transforms the environment for the production of animals and plants for human use. The study of agriculture is known as agricultural science. Agriculture also include farming with animals, plants, fungi, and other life forms for food, fibre, bio-fuel and other products used to sustain human life. The development of agriculture has been driven and defined by different climates, cultures and technologies. All farming activities rely on specific techniques and are used for plant production and animal grazing under irrigation and/ or dry-land farming.

ProgrammesAdvanced Diploma in Agricultural ExtensionNational Diploma: Agricultural ManagementBaccalaureus Technologiae: Agricultural Management

Contact usSecretary: Ms Bernice KotsiTel.: +27(0)51 507 4051 | Fax: +27(0)51 507 3435 | E-mail: mkotsi@cut.ac.za

Acting Head of DepartmentProf. Carlu Van Der WesthuizenTel: +27 (0)51 507 3788 | E-mail: cvdwesth@cut.ac.za

The Department of Clinical SciencesThe Department of Clinical Sciences offers qualification in Radiography. Radiography is a profession where technology and science are used to produce anatomical images of the body. Radiographers, as professionally trained healthcare workers, are part of the healthcare team and skilled in the use of X-rays, ultrasound, magnetism (MRI) and radioactivity for diagnostic and treatment purposes.

ProgrammesBachelor of Radiography in Diagnostics

Contact usSecretary:Ms Moleboheng MolefiTel.: +27(0)51 507 3166 | Fax: +27(0)51 507 3278 | E-mail: mmolefi@cut.ac.za

Head of DepartmentProf. Hesta Friedrich-NelTel: +27 (0)51 507 3268 | E-mail: hfried@cut.ac.za

The Department of Health SciencesThe Department of Health Sciences offers the three professional programmes, namely Biomedical Technology, Clinical Technology and Somatology. Qualified Biomedical Technologies are employed in private pathology practises of South African National Blood Service (SANBS), the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS), the Medical Research Council (MRC) and other disciplines such as Pharmaceutical companies. The B Tech in Somatology equips a student to become a member of a multi-disciplinary team that works together with medical doctors, pharmacists, plastic surgeons, dieticians, physiotherapists and dermatologists. Graduates are also highly sought after for placement in skin care clinics, on cruise liners and health spas. Qualified Somatologists are owners or managers in the business industry. They can also be make-up artist, facilitators at training institutions or Health and beauty columnist. Sales representative for cosmetic and medical products. Clinical technologist can work in hospitals, well-equipped clinics, operating theatres, intensive care units, and laboratories; the clinical technologist also has the option setting up his/her own practice.

ProgrammesNational Diploma: Biomedical TechnologyNational Diploma: Clinical Technology National Diploma: Somatology Baccalaureus Technologiae: Biomedical TechnologyBaccalaureus Technologiae: Clinical Technology Baccalaureus Technologiae: Somatology

Contact usSecretary: Ms L Van Den BergTel.: +27(0)51 507 3124 | Fax: +27(0)51 507 3355 | E-mail: lvdberg@cut.ac.za

Head of DepartmentDr Dedré OlivierTel.: +27(0)51 507 4020 | Fax: +27(0)51 507 3354 | E-mail: olivierd@cut.ac.za

The Department of Life Sciences The Department of Life Sciences comprises of one research unit and four academic divisions: Unit of Applied Food Science and –Biotechnology, Environmental Health; Dental Assisting, Fire Technology (currently facing out) and Generic Base Subjects divisions. The department embraces the full breadth of modern life science activity and comprises one of the largest research groups in the university. The department’s research and teaching activities are funded by a wide variety of research councils, charities and industries bodies. Life Sciences department conducts research based on the main academic division of Environmental Health and Dental Assisting and covers areas such as: Food Safety, Biotechnology, Waste Management, Occupational Health and Safety, Epidemiology, Molecular Biology, Oral Hygiene, Environmental Radioactivity, Air Quality amongst others. The department also host student organizations (Life Sciences Student Organization) involved in a number of community empowerment project related to students’ academic work.

ProgrammesHigher Certificate: Dental AssistingNational Diploma: Environmental HealthBaccalaureus Technologiae: Environmental Health

Contact usSecretary: Ms M BothaTel.: +27(0)51 507 3134 | Fax: +27(0)51 507 3435 | E-mail: mbotha@cut.ac.za

Head of DepartmentDr. Ntswaki MaleboTel: +27 (0)51 507 3884 | Fax: +27(0) 51 507 3435 | E-mail: nmalebo@cut.ac.za

Kitso Knowledge Timenyane hails from the dusty streets of Nhole Village,Taung in the North West Province. After completing his matric from Lephatsimile high school in Taung, 1993, he was advised by a his friend who was studying at CUT to explore vast career choices at the university. He heeded the advice and in 1995, his career moulded when he enrolled for National Diploma in Public Administration and Management. His endurance and dedication lifted him from humble beginnings to success as he now lives a fulfilling dream as a self-made entrepreneur.

Kitso’s dream has always been to turn hardships into innovative solutions. As a student, he never missed opportunities presented to him and started working hard from the first day of school, which paid off when he was awarded an Africon Engineering bursary for his outstanding first year results, and later, received an award for being the best senior student. While at CUT, he landed himself a job as a library assistant and worked as a copyright officer where his efforts to excel in his work were later acknowledged by a multipurpose copyright organisation, DALRO, Dramatic, Artistic and Literary.

Kitso Knowledge Timenyane lives the CUT dream of entrepreneurship

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BVK fleet: meter taxis, shuttle and bus services that transports local, national and international commuters within and across the borders of South Africa.

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His road to success started in 2005 when he established his own business, Bavukise Trading. Although Kitso believed being in business was by default, he was not afraid of taking chances to embrace advantages of an open door and the golden opportunity with open arms. He invested all his knowledge, efforts, and time on growing the business and making a name for himself. He consulted and constantly took advice, networked and rubbed shoulders with the big names in the industry to develop himself so that he remains relevant and at par with the rest of other similar businesses. Bavukise, currently a fully diversified entity, went through all steps of growing to where it is today.

The company has matured and expanded to other services like:

Transportation-BVK meter taxis, shuttle and bus services that transports local, national and international commuters within and across the borders of South Africa, Bavukise Civil & Building successfully completed the construction of an Aircraft Hangar at Bram Fischer International Airport in Bloemfontein, one of the flagship projects that the company was involved in, road maintenance, security and procurement management.

Today, the business employs 20 permanent staff and several other temporary ones that feature as and when other projects avail. Asked about his vision, Kitso said that his business strategy is to play a role in creating employment for women and youth, transferring skills, and developing more entrepreneurs to create more opportunities.

Leadership

He was the chairman of the Rainbow Meter Taxi Association, Free State from 2011 to 2015, and founder of Kitso Knowledge Timenyane foundation that assists and gives hope to the high school learners in the rural areas in the form of school fees, uniform, and wellness.

Acknowledgements

He dedicates his success to Professor Thandwa Mthembu, former Vice- Chancellor, and Principal, who inspired him with his emotional intelligence, listening skills and wisdom, the late Prof. Moses Sindane, for the leadership role he played during his study years, Mr Charles Maduna, for sharing his business intelligence and Dr John Dermantini, a human behavioural Specialist for teaching him the quality of values.

Work in progress: construction of an aircraft hangar at Bram Fischer International Airport in Bloemfontein was one of the flagship projects that the company was involved in. The project was successfully completed.

44Road maintenance on the Kloofeinde-Makro route

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After the completing his N Dip: Language Practice, Nico Baird was one of the first graduates in South Africa to complete his B Tech degree in Language Practice at the Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT). He specialised in communicative media, including graphic design and video production. He focused on effective academic communication in both poster design and instructional video production. His professional career started as director of multimedia at the University of the Free State, Faculty of Health Sciences. During this period, he completed a Post-Graduate Diploma in Health Sciences. After joining the CUT eLearning and educational technology team in 2004, he started as instructional designer before returning to his alma mater to train the trainers in the use of technology in teaching. In 2012 he completed his Magister in Health Professions Education at the Faculty of Health Sciences UFS and in 2015 his PhD in Health Profession Education. During the past 12 years, he has become a regular on the education and technology conference circuit with innovative and pioneering talks. Through the innovative work and his dedication to learning, especially learning in a changing world, he was selected as one of South Africa’s first Apple distinguished educators in 2007. Nico served in various committees and associations, including the National Association of Distance and Open Education South Africa (Nadeosa), South African Association of Health Educationists (SAAHE) and Golden Key International Honour Society. He also presented an array of posters and papers at national and international conferences. He gets regular invitations to address audiences at academic and non-academic workshops. Nico reviewed and published articles for various presentations and his knowledge of technology and e-learning methods has made him a well-known industry expert in South Africa, with his tips featured in weekly columns and talk shows in newspaper and national radio stations. He is currently the deputy director: centre for learning, teaching and developmental head: eLearning at Wits university, a trainer, entrepreneur, researcher and Apple distinguished educator.

Nico shares his wealth of knowledge with the world

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Letshego Modutwane is a 27-year-old young woman, she was born and bred in Bloemfontein and now based in Johannesburg. She is a Diagnostic Radiographer who specialized to become a Medical Radiation Therapist. Letshego acquired her ground knowledge from the Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT) when she studied Diagnostic Radiography from 2006 to 2008. She did her community in service training at Qwaqwa the following year (2009) and worked as a senior Radiographer at Pelonomi hospital in 2010.

In 2011, she came back to the university to further her studies and specialised in Oncology (the study of tumours, especially cancerous ones) for two years. Today, Letshego is proud of herself for the hard work she had endured and is now reaping the fruits. “Having more than one qualification gave me the freedom to work wherever I wanted and do what my heart desired.”

Currently, Letshego does locum in Radiology and prefers the flexibility as it gives her more time to pursue other dreams and projects. “When I chose to specialise in Oncology, it was purely for personal reasons and it is those reasons that are combined with my experience in oncology that gave birth to my campaign ‘Cancer Cancelled’. This campaign is very close to my heart and its sole mandate is to educate communities about the types of cancers in general, not as a once off on cancer month but throughout the year every day! ‘CANcer Cancelled’ aims to educate with a twist.”

As she further explains, ‘CANncer Cancelled’ is her foundation and as the CEO, she carries full responsibilities of the project with the sole mandate to educate and make the right noise to the right people using the most powerful platforms that are most effective in reaching voluminous number of people simultaneously. She coordinates the feature called Pink-Lips-Talk- Monday whereby every Monday they posts out a cancer fact in a way of trying to bring people to a deeper level of knowledge and understanding. Ladies are encouraged to wear a pink lipstick, which is just a way of making it fun and giving it a signature trend. They then take selfies and post one fact about cancer on social media which slowly answers people’s questions and places them at a deeper level of knowledge about the disease in its entirety, circulate the cancer fact and tag their friends and make it go viral. “The primary objective of the weekly feature is to equip people with enough knowledge to prevent cancer or prevent late diagnoses and save lives.” With her knowledge gained through education and experience, she has also published a daily planner for women from 2013-2015, which was a supporting product for the Pink-Lips-Talk- Monday feature.

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Who inspired your diary?Cancer Cancelled inspired the diary. I am always looking for new, fun, and unique ways to raise cancer awareness and that is how the diary came about. A diary is something a person carries with every day, having cancer information inside for one to see daily is powerful.

Why is your focus on cancer and not on HIV or TB? The government and the private sectors have done justice in raising awareness and educating people about HIV & TB but unfortunately, the same cannot be said about cancer. There are over 200 types of cancers yet the focus is only on one, and still, they do not know enough about it. In addition, there are HIV related cancers and I strongly feel that if the two have a relationship and they did justice in educating people about HIV, the same should go with cancer. Letshego also pointed out that she comes from a family with very strong cancer history and has lost most of her beloved family members through the dreaded disease. She also lost her father to lung cancer when she was in her first year of studies. “My father was a teetotaller and a non-smoker so that left me with a dozen questions, questions that the internet could not answer. At that point, I decided that I want to specialise in Oncology and get the answers that I was desperately looking for. In my first year of specialising, my grandfather was also diagnosed with cancer and he lost the battle in my final year. I was truly hurt because at the time, I was at a deeper level of knowledge. It felt like a blessing and a curse at the same time! Cancer to me is a ruthless enemy. It robs people of their loved ones and like the saying ‘keep your friends close and your enemies even closer,’ We need to keep cancer closer, and the only way of doing that is to learn more about it and educate more. “

Are we as a nation winning the battle?No, we are far from winning it! With the relationship between HIV and cancer, (HIV related) cancers affect younger generation. In the black race, a very large percentage presents with late stage cancers and when in that stage, there is only so much that health professionals can do for the patient but I still say that enough education can turn the situation around. There is still hope.

Any sponsors for your projects?I have not yet collaborated with anyone on the campaign. Sponsorships were not a priority for me when I started. I have however realized the need for financial muscle and have started drafting proposals. I am also hoping to make enough noise that sponsors come looking for me. Until then, I have to keep moving forward because if I wait, someone’s cancer is moving from stage one to stage four

Where to from here?Currently, Letshego has produced a cancer song called LoveLost featuring Muzee (former Cashtime member) and she is shooting a documentary about cancer survivors. Her long-term plan is to invest in her Radiography career and have her own x-ray practice that will operate 24/7. “I want to play my role and make my mark globally.”

Letshego mentioned that she is very proud to be a CUT alumna, and is proudly waving the CUT flag high. “I am a living testimony of my university! I am a CUT above the rest! Everything that I am today is because of the CUT health faculty. All my lecturers contributed to where I am today. CUT is by far one of the best tertiary institutions in the entire country. It changes lives and helps to make young people’s dreams come true. When I walked into the CUT, I was poor, but when I left, I could afford life. You are doing an incredible job. Keep it up!”

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Former CUT young farmerflies highPhil Bowes was born in Queenstown in Eastern Cape. Raised on the farm, Lily Vale, he attended School and matriculated in 1993 at Winterberg near Fort Beaufort, also in the Eastern Cape. In 1997, a year after completing his National Diploma in Agricultural Management Practice at CUT (then Free State Technikon), he started one of the first 50% black owned farm input supply businesses in South Africa with his partner Ivan Martin, whom is still in the same business today. As he climbed up the ladder of his career, he started work at Land O’Lakes International Development to implement a US government funded development project in the Eastern Cape. Doors soon opened for him to broaden his horizons at Land O’Lakes. In 2005, he was appointed to manage a Southern Africa regional programme spanning five countries. During that time, he also concluded his MBA through NMMU in PE.

Currently manager: transformation and development at VinPro Limited, Phil was recently invited to carry out presentations at the SAVE symposium, an international conference hosted by Argentinean government in San Juan, Argentina. His skills includes amongst others, Agriculture, Enterprise Development, Value Chain Analysis etc.

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In his career life, Bowes became part of the designing and implementation of nine enterprise and industries. The main focus was on economic development strategies involving five countries with the sub-sectors supported being input supply, livestock, table grape production, processing, and export.

The project responsibilities involved fund raising (for both development service projects and businesses), credit policy research, management training, business planning, value chain intelligence, retail promotions in the European Union and United Kingdom as well as the development of multi-media accredited training course materials.

Bowes has since made presentation both locally and abroad in countries such as United States, Kenya, Egypt and Argentina. He has been involved in land reform policy advisory services to organised agricultural groupings in South Africa and has also contributed to agriculture publications.

In September 2015, Paarl - VinPro, the service organisation for 3 600 South African wine producer and cellar members, appointed him as manager: transformation and development. The organisation strives towards commercial sustainability for its members, as well as that of the broader producer industry and its strategic role-players. As such, it regards itself as a mouthpiece and representative at all relevant forums and in engagements with government.

Bowes was previously the transformation manager at the table grape organisation Sati. His qualifications include a Diploma in Agricultural Management Practice from the Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT) and an MBA from the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University in Port Elizabeth. Based in South Africa, he was also previously involved with US Food Company and cooperative, Land O’Lakes in implementing initiatives funded by the US government. His nephew, Owen Hartley is also studying mechanical engineering at CUT.

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Fezile Sonkwala expresses his freedom of speechFezile Sonkwala graduated his B.Ed (FET) Languages degree in March 2015 from the Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT) where he also served as the academic officer for the Student Representative Council (SRC) in 2012/13. The 23 year old matriculated from Unitas secondary school in a modest but sub-urban city of Welkom. During his high school tenure, he served as chairperson for the Representative Council of Learners (RCL) at the school. Born and bred in Welkom, the young, free, and opinionated Fezile was raised and natured by a domestic worker and a mechanic.

He is an author, a columnist for The Weekly provincial newspaper since March 2013 and has also authored several other newspaper articles. He is an educator, essayist, a life-long learner, writer, and an opinionated critical thinker who mingles in political circles. While still in varsity, Fezile became among the first undergraduate students to be invited as a Fellow for the Leaders in Education and Development (LEAD) programme at the CUT.

In August 2015, Sonkwala launched his debut book called Native Footprints, a collection of political provoking essays on South Africa’s socio-political issues. The essays distinguish themselves in that they follow the usual, predictable, and sterile dominant narrative that confronts the reader on a daily basis. Each essay invites a reader to a dialogue. It is about trying to understand socio-political phenomenon, isolation, and describing its various manifestations and permutations and proffering various possibilities on how to tackle it. “As a product of the working class struggles, I wrote the book primarily because I am an opinion-maker, I comment a lot about socio-political issues, and this was a great opportunity to document it all,” he said. “I think the book is a great tool that societies can use to understand how the youth perceive the world around them. It is written by a young person and seeks to address the very issues that concern us.”

As a speaker on national discourse issues, Sonkwala speaks boldly on subjects related to the Basic and Higher Education, leadership, race and inequality, challenges facing youth and politics. His leadership profile includes the portfolio as a spokesperson for the Young Communist League of South Africa (YCLSA) in Free State and briefly serving on the Media Research Sub-committee of the African National Congress (ANC) in Free State. He has also held numerous leadership positions including serving as the Free State chairperson and member of the National Executive Committee for the Congress of South African Students (COSAS) in his earlier days as a high school learner.

Settled in Bloemfontein, Sonkwala is currently in the employ of Department of Sports Arts Culture and Recreation as an assistant director: internal communications and speech writing. He is now studying towards BTech public management and wishes to further his studies on to PhD in Education as it is his first love, grow his career and establish Fezile Sonkwala Leadership Foundation.

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Mosimanegape Sello Nduna, was born and bred in Mangaung, Bloemfontein. He matriculated at Kaelang senior secondary school in 1991. Trying to find a career in TV, he went for auditions which he was successful but financial constraints pulled him back as he could not afford to pay for his accommodation in Cleveland, Johannesburg while on training. Down and disappointed, he stayed at home for the rest of that year.

From 1993-1995, he enrolled for his Primary Teachers Diploma at the now defunct Kagisanong college of education and in his final year, a new community radio station-BBT (Bloemfontein, Botshabelo and Thaba-nchu) was established and because of his love for radio, he jumped into the opportunity and went for the auditions. The then station manager, Mr Lucky Cheepad Qacha was impressed with him and he started work with immediate effect as a sports presenter on weekdays and the breakfast and PR shows during weekends.

At the break of 1997, while still working for Radio BBT, he was recruited as an english teacher for a year at Tsoseletso high school and later a permanent setswana teacher and the subject head. During the same year, he got the third job as a PRO for Bloemfontein Celtic football club proudly known as ‘Siwelele sa Masele’. Sello Nduna is also a voice over artist and sports commentator for SABC sport and Motsweding FM.

During the FIFA Confederations Cup in 2009 and the 2010 FIFA World Cup, he was appointed as the venue press officer for the Free State Stadium and the brand and commercial manager for the CHAN tournament from December 2013 to January 2014.

In his buzy schedule, Mosimanegape found time to advance his career and broaden his scope and in 2008, he graduated with Advanced Certificate in Education - Sport Development and two years later, a Bachelor of Education Hons: Educational Management both at CUT.

His acknowledgements goes to Mr Thips Thibinyane who is now the Principal at Atlehang high school, former setswana HoD at Tsoseletso and currently a lecturer at CUT, Mr LA Matlho, former Bloemfontein Celtics football club owner and Life President, Dr Rantlai Petrus Molemela and his all-time boss and Mr Qacha of SABC sport radio, for believing in him even when he stopped believing in himself.

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Sello Nduna is a man of many talents

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CUT alumna aspires to build a giant farming enterprise in SADC RegionMponeng Lentoro was born in Beaufort West, natured and groomed in the Free State 50 years ago. Like any other young girl, all she aspired for was to get educated, secure a good paying job and live happily ever after with her family but fate redirected her elsewhere.

It was during her studies at CUT that she became interested in entrepreneurship lessons instilled in her. With the growing edge and a drive to become one, the desire and vision became stronger and clearer and a successful farmer and businesswoman was born. “I made a decision after my graduation that I am not going to be an employee but an employer. My dream was to create jobs for rural people in the agricultural sector, which has a history of injustice,” she said.

At the time of her decision, Ms Mponeng had no formal background on Agricultural Science but her upbringing in the farms, gave her the foundation to build on. She graduated her National Diploma in Environmental Health at University of Swaziland in 1998, a BTech-Environmental Health at CUT in 2003, and further enrolled for various short courses in agriculture with Grain SA and University of Pretoria and graduated in 2009. To equip herself with knowledge and skills, she further did a lot of consultation and research on farming and agriculture.

Post school, she was involved in different companies (hospitality, traffic management, training, and Mining Qualification Authority) during which she acquired a diploma in auctioneering, which saw her being the first black woman in Free State to do auctioneering.

In 2007, the eagerness and passion for farming grew beyond limits and she approached the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform (DRDLR) the following year.

In August 2014, she got first place in the women in water awards, provincial 2014 competition education & awareness category and top female entrepreneur commercial awards at district, provincial and national levels.

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An interview and a farm tour was done at Ms Lentoro’s farm, Vergezocht, to see how she made progress in the white male dominated sector and this is what she shared:

When did you start with the real farming?

In 2008, through South Africa’s often-criticized land reform programme, the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform purchased 1064 ha of land at Vergezocht farm in Beinsvlei on my behalf. Vergezocht farm is situated 35 km west of Bloemfontein, in the very sought after area of Bainsvlei. The farm is equipped with excellent infrastructure that allows me to have more than one enterprise; hence, I am involved in livestock farming, fresh produce, and processing plant for animal feed.

What have been your proud moments since you started farming? Just a year into the white male dominated sector, I harvested 743 tons of sunflowers, 284 tons of yellow maize, 275 tons of white maize and won the female farmer competition. I received an award as the top producer for national markets by the Department of Agriculture. In same year, I got another recognition certificate from Grain SA for being the commercial grain farmer amongst developing farmers.

In August 2014, I got first place in the women in water awards, provincial 2014 competition education & awareness category. I also won the award for top female entrepreneur commercial at district, provincial and national levels. I plan to enter the competition on agro processing in 2017.

Today, on more than 800 hectors of arable land, Ms Lentoro harvests 4-6 tons per hector of crops on dry land and 10-14 tons on irrigation land. The plant population on dry land is 15-18000 seeds per hector while on irrigation the plant population is 40-80 000 seeds per hector.

“With drought threatening farming in South Africa, we as farmers are the most hit but as food suppliers and providers, we have to come up with sustainability plans to keep up with the food supply chain.”

Ms Lentoro demonstrating how the silo operator works, she also trains her workers on the machine as part of her empowerment programme.

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Animal feed rolled up and stored for drought periods.

The milling site where crops are stored, sorted and milled.

The maize and sunflower drying machine preserves crops after harvest for later use.

What is your strategy in maintaining consistency?I believe in quality service. I am a professional in the work I do and I do it with pride. To me, reputation is a key to success. I am reliable and dependable and pay attention to detail because I know that it is the little things that matters most. I also strive for continuous improvement. To do that, I never sit back and wait for things to happen, life is a never-ending adventure so I keep my eyes and ears open to anything that is happening around the world, be it the climate change or a market niche for my products. I produce grade A maize and the best cultivar A+ sunflower.

Are you involved in any community projects?Oh, yes, absolutely! I am a community-focused person. I strongly believe in ploughing back. Farming community is very rural and mainly poverty-stricken. I enjoy bringing in change, and leaving a legacy. Who knows? Maybe that will also benefit my next generation. That is generally Ubuntu. I also provide excess vegetables to the disadvantaged schools

I am also serving in the National Reference Group (NAREG) formed by the Minister of DRDLR to represent the nine provinces starting from constituencies, formulating the policies for Land redistribution and restitution.

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Grain suction blower used as a vacuum to draw grain for any residual grain from the ground.

Excess vegetables are donated to needy schools. The loading zone for crop transportation.

Are you in any leadership roles? Yes, I serve as a committee member in different farmers’ association such as South African National Farmers Union (SANAFU), NAFCOC and Women in Agriculture and Rural Development (WARD). As a Provincial committee member for SANAFU, my role is to bring farmers together and form cooperatives and commodity groups for commodities such as livestock production, poultry, fresh produce, game and ostrich production, milk, oil seeds, grain, fodder, animal feed, fishery and crocodile, bee breeding, florist, herbs, special oils, wool, mohair and forestry, including agro- processing of those commodities. These commodity groups are therefore trained and assisted to produce quality and excellent standard, meet the market demand, and be good competitors. Agro-processing is very important, because that is where farmers ‘wealth lies.

I also initiated corporate banking, which will later assist emerging farmers with capital as it is difficult to get funding from commercial banks. Most of the developing farmers do not have collateral, which is one of the requirements by all financial institutions, and most of them are either not credit worthy or black- listed.

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What is your advice to all those who aspire to be like you?Faith in God and genuine love for farming are crucial in this industry. Farming is not a smooth sail. You need to be fully committed, dedicated and be prepared for the real hard work. Farming requires passion, skill, knowledge, commitment, patience, and a capital, as it is expensive to produce quality products and procure farm equipment and machinery.

Where do you see yourself in the near future?I am an entrepreneur at heart and sturdily believe that wealth accumulates from land. To be able to have a positive ripple effect in my community, I have to support and develop emerging farmers, alleviate poverty through job creation, become the creator of markets and take a leading role in the food value added chain. My wish is to have an abattoir coupled with processing plants for meat, vegetables, and fruit. These processing plants will assist in creating substantial jobs for the Bainsvlei community and ultimately enable them to add value. My other plan is to develop my employees to be independent, make them shareholders so that they can have a sense of ownership, and be able to work as a team to protect the assets we have.

My passion is to see females in this sector and through Land Reform initiative under women and youth desk, groups of women and girl child underwent training to grow lavender in Free State and Northern Cape, of which we will be processing at a later stage. Therefore, I take this as a starting point to a better future.

Do you have any plans of ploughing back to CUT as a successful alumna?I am actively involved with CUT now; agricultural postgraduate students are doing their experiential learning at my farm in Vergezocht. I would also like to be involved in seminars and public lectures and motivate young aspiring farmers that they must not limit their knowledge and skills, they must explore this sector, as the sky is the limit. I am available to give any agricultural advice and training to young aspiring farmers. I am willing to share my knowledge to those who show interest.

Sunflower and maize silos to keep them fresh

German Large White at the pigsty enjoying happy to see visitors.

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Tony seizes the moment to live his dreamTony Chao-Chian Peng is a 28-year-old Bloemfonteiner with Taiwanese origins. His flair for luxury and impeccable eye for finer things drew him to the culinary world and he added a blend of his personality and creativity to it.

During his matric year in 2005, his visit to the Hospitality and Management career exhibition stall, changed his life forever when he enrolled for the course the following year. He was fascinated by the infinite possibilities of travelling and working in various renowned establishments and is to this day, inspired by the day to day living, from the forms, shapes and silhouettes of his surroundings to interesting people he constantly meet and engage with.

He became an exceptional student and was elected as the chairperson of Hotel School student committee, and his professionalism and academic achievements made him outstanding from the rest of his peers. After his B-Tech in Hospitality Management, he became an assistant lecturer at the Hotel School.

According to Tony, CUT Hotel School has great heritage and has always embodied high standards and pride. His highlight was an opportunity to work at various five star hotels in SA, specifically the Saxon Hotel Villas and Spa in Johannesburg and Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel in Cape Town. “The work integrated learning has definitely prepared me for the “real world” that I have chosen. We always had a great support system at CUT,” he said.

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He also shared his breakthrough and exposure he got during the FIFA Confederation Cup in 2009 and FIFA World Cup in 2010 when he was appointed as a supervisor for the VVIP suites and senior floor manager of the Free State stadium, taking charge of the food and beverage services in the suites. “This was my first taste of high profile events and I fell in love with it.” In 2012, he moved to Cape Town and pursued his career at one of the leading events company but six months later, he came back with an urge to start his own thing.

He established a trendy, creative lifestyle and concept design company called ENVIE. The company focuses on presenting and executing out-of-the-box ideas for spectacular events, celebrations, interiors, and designs. “I don’t regret any of my decisions and wouldn’t have been where I am today if I didn’t head to different directions earlier in my life,” he explains.

Currently, Tony spends his undivided attention on growing ENVIE brand and taking the VIE digital magazine nationally. He also aspires to grow and venture into various other businesses locally and internationally, assist aspiring young entrepreneurs to grow their businesses and build his empire.

In all he has done and achieved, Tony dedicates his success to CUT Hotel School staff for the professionalism instilled in him and the relations they forged with the industry that made it easy for him and others to manoeuvre into the big world.

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The Faculty of Management SciencesThe planning and development of CUT’s courses is based on the expert advice of consultative committees and specialists in business, commerce, the public sector and industry. All courses are vocationally oriented and based on a rigorous analytical approach. The faculty’s objective is to prepare gradu-ates for professional business and public management practice. As a result of adopting a unique approach to business and public management training, the employment rate of graduates is high. If you are interested in a career field of Accounting, Internal Auditing, Financial Information Systems, Human Resources Management, Project Management, Business Administration, Community Development, Office Management and Technology, Marketing, Public Management, Tourism Management or Hospitality Management, the Faculty of Management Sciences is a place to be.

Dean of Faculty: Prof. Albert Strydom

The Department of Accounting and AuditingThe global competitive markets in which enterprises operate necessitate reliable, relevant and understandable financial information to base managerial, strategic and economic decisions upon their quest to succeed and grow. This crucial information is provided by the Accounting and Auditing professions, which currently experiences a broad based shortage. You can assist South Africa in alleviating this shortage by studying a course in Accounting, Account-ing Technicians, Cost and Management Accounting, Internal Auditing or Financial Information Systems.

All our programmes are aligned with local and international professional bodies such as AAT, IIA, ISACA, SAIPA, IAC. During your journey to become a professional, you will be assisted by highly qualified and award-winning lecturers with years of experience in both industry and teaching.

In short, the Department of Accounting and Auditing can provide you with a practical, technology-focused qualification in accounting or auditing that will lead you to a professional career.

ProgrammesNational Higher Certificate: AccountingNational Higher Certificate: Financial Information SystemsNational Diploma: Financial Information SystemsNational Diploma: Internal AuditingNational Diploma: Cost and Management AccountingBaccalaureus Technologiae: Cost and Management AccountingBaccalaureus Technologiae: Financial Information SystemsBaccalaureus Technologiae: Internal AuditingPostgraduate StudiesShort Learning Programmes/Courses

ProjectsBusiness Ethics Education

The current student chapters (groups) areABASA CUT student chapter, CUTASO, Internal Audit Student Chapter and ISACA student group

Contact usHead of Department Mr C HurterTel.: +27(0)51 507 3596 | Fax: +27(0)51 507 3133 | E-mail: churter@cut.ac.zaSAA: Mr Sechaba NkoalaTel: +27 (0)51 507 3596 | Fax: +27 (0)51 507 3133 | E-mail: snkoala@cut.ac.za

Departmental ManagerMe G Pule (Welkom Campus)Tel. +27 (0)57 910 3528 | Fax: +27 (0)866 938 324 | E-mail: npule@cut.ac.za

Programme CoordinatorNational Higher Certificate: Accounting Ms A CoetzeeTel: +27 (0)51 507 3211| Fax: +27 (0)51 507 3133 | E-mail: ccoetzee@cut.ac.za

Programme Coordinator: Internal Auditing Mr J SteynTel: +27 (0)51 507 3189 | Fax: +27 (0)51 507 3133 | E-mail: jsteyn@cut.ac.za

Programme Coordinator: Financial Information Systems Mrs L SteenkampTel: +27 (0)51 507 3333 | Fax: +27 (0)51 507 3133 | E-mail: llubbe@cut.ac.za

The Department of Business ManagementThe Department of Business Management offers two cutting-edge and sought-after programmes, namely, Human Resources Management and Marketing Management programmes. Since their inceptions, the two programmes (Marketing & HR) have earned an excellent reputation for enabling graduates to think locally and act globally in all aspects of their programme offerings. We offer National Diploma; B. Tech; M. Tech and D. Tech degrees in both programmes in the department.

ProgrammesNEW!Diploma: Human Resources ManagementNEW! Diploma: MarketingBaccalaureus Technologiae: Human Resources ManagementBaccalaureus Technologiae: MarketingExtended Curriculum Programme: Marketing

Contact usHead of Department: Prof. Tshedi NaongTel: +27 (0) 51 507 3217 | E-mail: mnaong@cut.ac.za Secretary: Ms Etta van der MerweTel: +27 (0)51 507 3964 | Fax: +27 (0)51 507 3133 | E-mail: evdmerwe@cut.ac.za

Programme Coordinator: Human Resources Management Dr L DzansiTel: +27 (0)51 507 3227| Fax: +27 (0)51 507 4026| E-mail: ldzansi@cut.ac.za

Departmental Manager (Human Resources Management, Welkom Campus) Dr F van der WaltTel. +27 (0)57 910 3686 | Fax: + 27 (0)86 610 7077 | E-mail: fvdwalt@cut.ac.za

Programme Coordinator: Marketing Management Secretary: Ms E van der MerweTel: +27 (0)51 507 3964 / 3217 | Fax: +27 (0)51 507 4026 | E-mail:evdmerwe@cut.ac.za

Departmental Manager (Marketing, Welkom Campus)Mr S RamphomaTel: +27 (0)57 910 3686 | Fax: +27 (0)57 396 3331 | E-mail: sramphoma@cut.ac.za

The Department of Government Management We offer practice and career-orientated training in which we focus onPromotion and enhancement;Accountability;Effective service delivery;Freedom of action;Democratic government andA development orientated public sector

ProgrammesHigher Certificate: Community Development WorkNEW!Diploma: Public ManagementBaccalaureus Technologiae: Public Management

Contact usHead of DepartmentProf. Tryna van NiekerkTel: +27(0)51 507 3378 | E-mail: edwardst@cut.ac.za

Programme Coordinator: National Diploma Public ManagementMr L Munsamy: Tel.: +27 (0)51 5073346 | E-mail: lmunsamy@cut.ac.za

Programme coordinator: Higher CertificateCommunity Development WorkMrs PA Molomo: Tel.: +27 (0)51 5073968 | E-mail: pmolomo@cut.ac.za

SecretaryMs A M Shaw: Tel: +27(0)51 507 3378 | Fax: +27(0)51 507 3789 | E-mail: ashaw@cut.ac.za

The Department of Business Support StudiesThe Department of Business Support Studies offers practice and career orientated programmes in the following areas

ProgrammesNational Diploma: Office Management and TechnologyBaccalaureus Technologiae: Office Management and TechnologyBaccalaureus Technologiae: Business AdministrationBaccalaureus Technologiae: Project Management

Contact usHead of DepartmentProf. Dennis DzansiTel: +27(0)51 507 3219 | E-mail: ddzansi@cut.ac.za

SecretaryMs T ScheepersTel: +27(0)51 507 3219 | Fax: +27(0)51 507 3869 | E-mail: tscheepers@cut.ac.za

Programme Coordinator: Business AdministrationMr PK HoeyiTel: +27(0)51 507 3954| Fax: +27(0)51 507 3869| E-mail: phoeyi@cut.ac.za

Programme Coordinator: Project ManagementMr EK AgbobliTel: +27(0)51 507 3955 | Fax: +27(0)51 507 3869| E-mail: eagbobli@cut.ac.za

Programme Coordinator: Office Management and TechnologyMs B BassonTel: +27(0)51 507 3330| Fax: +27(0)51 507 3869 | E-mail: bdramos@cut.ac.za

Departmental Manager (Welkom Campus)Dr F van der WaltTel. +27(0)57 910 3686 | Fax: + 27 (0)86 610 7077 | E-mail: fvdwalt@cut.ac.za

The Department of Hospitality Management(Hotel School)The Hotel School is at the forefront of hospitality training and offers a three year National Diploma and B Tech degree.

The Hotel School students are highly recommended for employment as banqueting managers, hoteliers, guesthouse managers, restaurant managers, chefs, waiters, bar tenders, events managers, front office, etc.

ProgrammesNEW! Diploma: Hospitality ManagementBaccalaureus Technologiae: Hospitality Management

Restaurants on CUT CampusCUT has two superb in-house training restaurants at Bloemfontein Campus. These restaurants are managed by the department: One on Park | Lettuce Eat

Contact usHead of DepartmentMs Dalene Crowther (Acting)Tel : 051 507 3234 | Fax: 051 507 3293| E-mail: dcrowthe@cut.ac.za

SecretaryMs L PosthumusTel: +27(0)51 5073235 | Fax: +27(0)51 507 3293| E-mail: lposthumus@cut.ac.za

The Department of Tourism and Event ManagementThe South African tourism industry shows dramatic growth and a demand for well qualified tourism managers. The Department of Tourism and Events Management offers a degree or diploma in Tourism Management. Learning with us will ultimately lead to transfer of cognitive, technological, operational and emotional intelligence whilst maintaining the unique character, service excellence and ethics of the industry. We support creativity, independent thought, team work and effective communication.

ProgrammesNEW!Diploma: Tourism ManagementBaccalaureus Technologiae: Tourism Management

Contact usHead of DepartmentDr René HaarhoffTel: +27(0)51 507 3115 | E-mail: rnel@cut.ac.za

Secretary: Ms M RaadTel: +27(0)51 507 3849 | Fax: +27 (0)51 507 3363 |E-mail: kraad@cut.ac.za

David Mohale is a born leader David Mohale graduated at CUT in 2006 with the B.A Degree cum laude. At the time of his

graduation, he was the SRC president. It is a significantly rare feat for SRC presidents to graduate with distinctions. He did not only graduate with distinction; he also received the Vice-Chancellor’s best academic performance award at undergraduate level in Welkom campus. This was a phenomenal achievement considering that being the head of the SRC also meant serving in University Council, Senate, and other Institutional Forums. In addition to all these responsibilities, he also served as the chairperson of South African Students Congress in the Free State.

David Mohale has been in the local government for more than a decade and continued to invest in his empowerment since leaving CUT. He is currently collecting data for his PhD, which seeks to examine the impact of performance of local government towards the vision of a South African developmental state. He has presented papers at three international conferences, two of which have been considered for publication in a collection of series focusing on public policy in Africa. He was invited by Wits university in 2012 to present the paper to the visiting group of MA students from the University of Warwick. The paper focused on the social inclusivity of the National Development Plan.

Acquainted and seasoned in local governance and having occupied numerous responsibilities, Mohale is currently a senior manager in the office of the Speaker in Matjhabeng local municipality. He had a short stint as the assistant lecturer in the english department in Welkom campus. While still a student, he was the Free State correspondent for Cape Town based soccer tabloid -Laduma.

Since leaving the university, David has served in the Provincial Executive Committees of the African National Congress Youth League and the Young Communist League. He was appointed as the spokesperson of the ANCYL in the Free State and played prominent role in placing the policy agenda of the organisation in the public domain. He carried out this responsibility at the time the ANCYL introduced a debate on the ‘economic freedom in our lifetime,‘ which amongst others centred on the nationalisation of mines.

He has been the spokesperson of the ANC in Lejweleputswa district since 2012. In 2007, CUT alumni AGM elected him as the deputy-president of the Convocation. He is currently an executive committee member of the CUT alumni leadership. He is an ardent reader and is a former newspaper columnist. He is the participant of the CUT-LEAD development programmes. He spends some of his time working with young people on their leadership development. He has worked with the district department of Basic Education as the motivational speaker for Grade 12s and teachers. A development enthusiast, David is currently a participant in the BMF young professionals development programme.

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Teboho passionate about South AfricaTeboho Mabula is a proud Bloemfonteiner with the strong passion for environmental health. He learnt about CUT at a career exhibition that was held at his school in his matric year and he made a commitment to himself to study at CUT the following year as he fell in love with a career in environmental health management. From his research, he was inspired when he found out that employment for environmental scientists and specialists is expected to grow by 60% between 1998 and 2018, much faster than the average among all occupations. He immediately knew that this was a career to follow.

Five years later, the former CUT-choir member is a qualified chief environmental health practitioner specialising in port health. His main task is to ensure that the country is free from communicable diseases like Ebola, Yellow Fever, Malaria and many others. His is to ensure that such diseases are not introduced into the country by means of conveyance, cargo or by foot.

He is currently working on his proposal for MTech in Public Health and plans to harness his knowledge and skills and be a pro in his field. “My biggest obsession is to make enormous contribution towards improving the state of environmental health care in South Africa and the region. We need more people in this field too. I would also like to be a part of the academics at CUT and give back the high quality education that I was once a recipient of.”

Environmental health professionals are best known for their efforts to ensure safety of the environmental factors that influences or affects human health. Environmental health is a very diverse field where professionals perform a variety of tasks such as research, investigations, outreach and education, environmental clean-ups and more.

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On his leadership roles, he manages the prevention of cross-border/cross-country transmission of communicable diseases through the Port of Entry (PoE) due to international travel and trade. He has also implemented and managed the rendition of municipal health services within the PoE.

He mentioned that he is still fond of CUT as it gave him the best learning experience and the cherry on top was the CUT partnership with industry, business and government that made life easy for most graduates upon completing their diplomas and degrees and he is one of those.

His gratitude goes to his former lecturers Dr. Weyers, Dr. Esterhuizen and Mr. Manyatsa for their enthusiasm and undying support “I would also like to acknowledge Dr Makhalemele who was a lecturer in Management Skills while I was still a student. He used to constantly encourage me to work hard and make use of every opportunity presented to me and I’m thankful today because here I am.” Teboho is currently based in Ficksburg,

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Teboho and friend at CUT graduation Teboho inspecting aeroplane

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Beauty lies in the eyes of the artistUpon completing his matric at Jim Fouché high school in 2009, Erick Strydom started his design career at the Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT) in 2010. He excelled in his course due to his background in fine arts and conceptual thinking, receiving the prize for best design student for three consecutive years 2010, 2011, and 2012. He was awarded the best communication design student in 2010. With creative thoughts and an eye for detail in his design from a young age, he was crowned national finalist in the institute of packaging south africa for two consecutive years (2011 and 2012) and won best in brief and runner-up during 2012 for his inventive packaging solutions. Mr strydom also received an overall international 13th place during the world packaging organisation- student world star packaging awards in usa 2013. Always inventive and advanced in his career, Erick was also a provincial finalist for ESKOM energy efficient lighting design awards and received a national 2nd prize for his design that awed the spectators. In addition, during 2012, he submitted an intricate instillation art piece, entitled “Control”, for the SASOL new signatures art competition where he was chosen to be part of the top 100 to exhibit at Pretoria National Art Museum.

When he completed his studies in 2012, Erick filled the position of designer at Brand New in bloemfontein. As a trained and experienced freethinking and process driven individual, Erick is currently a multi media creative designer and developer.

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Engineer and researcher aims to bring change

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Gericke began his academic career and enrolled National Diploma in Civil Engineering: Agriculture. He completed his master’s degree cum laude at Stellenbosch University and further persued his PhD part-time, during a period when his second and third daughters were born. He was able to show extreme dedication in his studies whilst maintaining a balance between work responsibilities, family life and research.

Gericke is currently a lecturer at CUT where he is serving 18 years of academic and professional experience in flood hydrology, water resources management and irrigation and believes that his doctoral thesis titled “Accurate assessments improve the estimation of catchment response times required for flood estimation, thus improving essential input for the design of hydraulic structures such as dams, culverts and drainage systems” earned him his PhD in Bio-resources engineering from UKZN. Dr Gericke also believes that his work will assist in water resources management as his approach enables more accurate estimates of catchment response times, both in South Africa and abroad, resulting in a more efficient design of hydraulic structures. He is representing CUT department of Civil Engineering at the Water Research Commission (WRC) and the South African National Committee of Large Dams (SANCOLD), to contribute towards the implementation of a National Flood Studies Programme (NFSP).

Gericke acknowledged CUT, the National Research Foundation and UKZN for funding his studies. He also expressed gratitude to his supervisor and colleagues for their undying support during trying times.

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The Faculty of HumanitiesThe Faculty of Humanities consists of five departments, namely the department of Communication Sciences, Design and Studio Art, Language and Social Sciences, Education, Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, and the Post Graduate Studies in Education, as well as one service department.

Acting Dean of Faculty: Prof Frances van Schalkwyk

Qualification StructureThe National Diploma is a three-year, full-time, career-oriented qualification. After obtaining the National Diploma qualification, a student may continue with a fourth year of study to obtain the Baccalaureus Technologiae (BTech) degree, before proceeding with Magister Technologiae (MTech) and Doctor Technologiae (DTech) studies.

For Teacher Education, the initial qualification is a four-year *Baccalaureus Educationis (BEd) Further Education and Training (FET) Specialisation programme followed by the BEd (Honours) Degree programme, which can be completed within one year on a full-time basis or within two years on a part-time basis. Students also have the opportunity to enrol for the Magister Educationis (MEd) and Philosophiae Doctor (PhD) programmes. Other programmes offered in Teacher Education are the Advanced Certificate in Education (ACE) and the Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) programmes.

The Department of Communication SciencesThe Department of Communication Sciences offers a National Diploma as well as BTech degree in Language Practice. The NDip: Language Practice qualification is a 3 year diploma course. After successful completion of this qualification, candidates can enroll for a BTech: Language Practice degree. Postgraduate qualifications such as a Master’s: Communication in Language Practice and a Doctor of Communication in Language Practice are also offered.

These multi-faceted and challenging qualifications are outcomes-based learning programmes aimed at opening doors to the media world and explore aspects such as video techniques, writing skills, translation, computer usage, public speaking and intercultural relationships, with translation being one of the major subjects. The programme has international links through a student exchange agreement with universities abroad.

Persons with a Language Practice qualification will add great value to any private institution or government department as Language Officer, Translator, Communications Officer, Editor, Technical Writer, Administrative Officer, Training Officer, as well as be involved in Journalism and Public Relations to a certain extent. Entrepreneurship in a language based direction is also a possibility.

ProgrammesNEW! Diploma: Language Practice and Media StudiesBaccalaureus Technologiae: Language Practice

Contact usHead of DepartmentDr Brenton FredericksTel: +27 (0)51 507 3327 | E-mail: bfreder@cut.ac.za

Ms Nelia OberholzerTel: +27 (0)51 507 3327 | Fax: +27 (0)51 507 3970 | E-mail: nmuller@cut.ac.za

Departmental ManagerDr B Badenhorst (Welkom Campus)Tel.: +27 (0)57 910 3633 | E-mail: bbadenho@cut.ac.za

Academic Administrative OfficerMs P Kellerman (Welkom Campus)Tel.: +27 (0)57 388 3599 | E-mail: pkellerm@cut.ac.za

The Department of Design and Studio ArtThe Diploma in Design and Studio Art is a qualification across the design and art spectrum that encourages a wide, multidisciplinary view where students are encourage to pursue, debate and prioritize real world issues as individual “creative’s”. The department aims to harness and extend students’ knowledge, skills and creativity with a critical ideas-driven approach across the field of graphic design, fashion design, jewellery design, fine art and photography with a unique technology approach.

ProgrammesDiploma: Design and Studio ArtBaccalaureus Technologiae: Fine ArtBaccalaureus Technologiae: Graphic DesignBaccalaureus Technologiae: PhotographyExtended Curriculum Programmes (Bridging Programmes)

Short Courses Photography for BeginnersIntermediate PhotographyGraphic Design for beginnersPattern Design: Infinity dress and infinity topCreative Ceramics

Contact usHead of Department Prof. Frances Van SchalkwykTel: +27(0)51 507 3184| E-mail: fvschalk@cut.ac.za SecretaryMs Patience MoatlhodiTel: +27(0)51 507 3184 | Fax: +27(0)051 507 3197 | E-mail: mmoatlhodi@cut.ac.za

Centre ManagerMs Marizanne Janse van RensburgOffice: Room 31, Art Building | Tel: +27 51 507 3108 | Fax: +27 51 507 3197 | E-mail: mjvrens@cut.ac.za

The Department of Language and Social Sciences EducationThe Department of Language and Social Sciences Education is responsible for initial teacher education, specializing in the following languages: Sesotho, Setswana, IsiXhosa, IsiZulu, English and Afrikaans. The objective of the department is to equip all prospective educators to promote the different languages in schools, FET colleges and other institutions.

ProgrammesB Ed SP and FET: Economic and Management SciencesB Ed SP and FET: Language Education

Contact us Head of Department Dr Pule PhindaneTel: +27(0)51 507 3832 | E-mail: pphindane@cut.ac.za

SecretaryMs C MonokoTel.: +27(0)51 507 3348 | Fax: +27(0)51 507 3367 | E-mail: mmonoko@cut.ac.za

Acting Department ManagerDr Awelani RambudaTel: +27(0)57 910 3607 | Fax: +27(0)866192507 | E-mail: arambuda@cut.ac.za

The Department of Post Graduate Studies in EducationThe Department of Post Graduate Studies in Education caters for initial teacher education and continuing professional development of teachers at both Bloemfontein and Welkom campuses.

ProgrammesInitial Teacher EducationPostgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE)

Continuing Professional Development NEW! Bachelor of Education (HONS): Educational ManagementMaster of EducationDoctor of Education

Contact us

Head of DepartmentProf. Gawie Schlebusch (Welkom Campus)Tel: +27(0)57 910 3572 | Fax: +27(0)866192586 | E-mail: gschlebu@cut.ac.za

SecretaryMs MHE Van NiekerkTel.: +27(0)57 910 3618 | E-mail: mvniek@cut.ac.za

Departmental ManagerMr T Mathlo (Bleomfontein Campus)Tel: +27(0)51 507 3871 | E-mail: lmatlho@cut.ac.za

Thandiwe “Meme” Mohale, a sister to David Mohale, is from Phahameng Township in Mangaung, Bloemfontein. As early as grade 11, Meme was all clued up about tertiary institutions in Bloemfontein. She applied and was accepted at both but chose CUT, because her dad was a student at UFS at the time and the thought of bumping into him and the possible lifts home terrified her. 12 years later, she says that she is grateful for making CUT her academic home as it turned out to be the best and she had the best time of her tertiary life. She started her career in Information Technology (IT) in 2001.

At first, she was confused and torn between pursuing Clinical Psychology or IT, but her passion for technology, the continuous modernising and new technological creations that companies displayed coupled with her mother’s advice gave her a sense that her economic contribution aspirations will be always satisfied.

While still a student, Meme took part in many social clubs and extra mural activities. She was a peer educator, one of the pioneers that established Student Women Organisation (SWO), secretary of the cheers club, lecturer assistant, tutor at Lereko high school, member of the student parliament and institutional research assistant. She also mentioned that she canvassed for 2003 SRC elections and did not make it through but the lessons learnt were a good experience. “These activities gave me a sense of commitment and purpose. I was not only responsible for myself but for the whole wellbeing of the CUT community. I somehow managed to stay organized managing extramural activities with my studies. I learned many useful skills, time management, critical thinking, teamwork, leadership skills, negotiating, persuasion and social skills. They became an integral part in building my career and built the confidence in me. When I graduated, I was more marketable and this made it easier for me to get a good job and prosper.”

Thandiwe “Meme” Mohale is a dedicated change facilitator

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“This offered me an opportunity to virtually and physically work in many geographies,” she says. Meme is currently based in Johannesburg at one of the leading private banks in South Africa as an IT Infrastructure project manager. “I call myself a ‘change facilitator’, transforming concepts into tangible outputs. My work involves understanding the environment and my stakeholders’ functions. Part of my responsibilities is to engage in meetings and build rapport sometimes with multiple vendors located in different geographies. My main task is to bring these people and resources together to achieve set objectives that will resolve issues, expand our business and increase our revenue. Once the above objectives are established, I create solid documentation, identify risks and ways to mitigate them and resolve ongoing issues. I sometimes have to act as the mediator and negotiator resolving disputes or leading the team.”

She is also in charge of all networking and telecommunications projects and has recently ran a WAN Refresh project for all northern and southern hemisphere sites. “I managed the whole tender process, awarding and implementation thereof of over R100 million.”

She is currently managing a construction project, expanding her knowledge in a different industry. “I have been generating enough virtual dust at the bank and I am fortunate to explore the real dust now and harness my skills outside my comfort zone. For me, the sky is the limit. IT is broad and the career choice I made allows me to work in any industry. I have prepared myself and enhanced my knowledge to take up a leadership position and run my business on the side.”

Thandiwe said that his younger brother is studying graphic design at CUT and he is having the best years of his life because of the conducive environment.

She is the chairperson of CUT Gauteng Alumni Chapter and believes that her project management skills will assist her role in leadership.

She dedicates her acknowledgement to Mr. Pieter Potgieter (Potty) C++ whom she says, turned her zero knowledge of programming into something, “I am grateful I passed.” To Dr Antoni Szubarga for an opportunity to work alongside him as a student pushing her boundaries and exposing her to smaller projects testing her surveys acceptability, designing forms and extracting data for testing, etc., Mma Thulare for accepting a group of aspirant students to assist her on her project to bring technology to high school students’ teaching them basic IT skills and Masentle Mothibe who went beyond her call of duty to empower, educate and inspire, young adults to change behaviour on real life issues and challenges, Manti Motloho, for her bravery to face challenges and breaking boundaries, her vision to empower women and instilling the life attributes and to all her lectures who used different techniques and sometime homerous analogies to grasp foreign concepts. “I am enjoying the fruits of your labour and hard work. Thank you, thank you, and thank you.”

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Rodney Jacobs originates from Welkom in Lejweleputswa district. He heard about CUT from the word of mouth and joined the institution in 1997 studying Engineering and graduated in 2002. He went on to gain experience and knowledge and came back to CUT and enrolled for a DTech degree, which he completed in 2013. He worked as an International Instructor - Process Control & Instrumentation from 2002 to date, presenting various workshops and lectures around the world every couple of weeks. He recently jetted to Oman to attend one of his workshops, and says that he enjoys his career so much that he would not trade it for anything. “I have presented hundreds and hundreds of face-to-face as well as e-learning sessions to thousands of engineering delegates all around the world.” When he is not abroad, Rodney runs his own company, Rodney Jacobs Enterprises and does engineering consultations in Welkom where he is currently based. He believes that his hard work, perseverance and dedication brought him to where he is today and he is thankful to his exceptional promoter, Prof. Jordaan, who supported him through and through. “CUT was very good to me, they allowed me to be me and do my best. Prof. Jordaan was an absolute professional and dedicated man.” The former senior international lecturer at IDC Technologies and President for Rotary Club of Goldfields Sunset says his successful business and the status of being an internationally recognised engineer, is a result of honesty, professionalism, selflessness, ethics and integrity.

Rodney takes his skills abroad

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Shadrack Zikade (Dikate) Cezula was born and bred in Theunissen, Masilo Township in Northern Free State. He joined CUT in the nineties (90s), 16 years ago when the university was still Technikon Free State, popularly known as ‘Techofs’. He learnt about the institution from the word of mouth of former students in his home town and upon completing his matric, he found his academic haven in the city of roses, Bloemfontein.

Although Shadrack did not know what he intended to study at that moment, his curiosity to want to know more about the government and its operations at that time and make his contribution to its future evolution, he was inspired to study Public Management and he fell in love with his career choice.

Currently a director: logistics & transport in the Free State Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in Glen, where he is responsible for planning, coordinating, development and implementing, Mr Cezula has advanced extensively from when he started to date.

“Being a manager where I am is nothing new to me. I have been in leadership roles before I was even a student at CUT and the

Shadrack dedicates his leadership success to CUT

experience and exposure has gave me so much self-confidence and a clear head.” Shadrack believes that his leadership qualities made him outstanding from the rest of his peers and he was elected as the SRC president in his academic years which opened doors to many other leadership roles; some of which were social, academical and political. He was SRC President and served in the council and senate of CUT, convocation president, and public relations officer for SATICA nationally and he also led at branches of the ANC and the SACP.

He is now pursuing a master’s degree in Public Management and sees himself as a business consultant for government departments and other institutions in the future. He dedicates his grooming and professionalism to his late lecturer, Prof. Moss Sindane who taught him to understand himself and pushed him beyond limit, making him realise his inner self and abilities he didn’t know existed. “Having served in the Council of CUT, I developed strategies of managing complex situations without destructions and gained respect from my seniors and peers. I also have much admiration and respect for my other former lectures who influenced and shaped the person that I am today.” He mentioned the likes of the late Prof. Moss Sindane, Prof. Bertus Koorts, Ms Brenda Minnie, Ms Makgadi Mkhonza, Prof. Thulare, Ms Lerato Nthongoa, hostel management and former Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Thandwa Mthembu.

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Nothing is impossible under the sun for Mokete LiteluMokete Litelu is a capital procurement leader at Medi-Clinic corporate office and believes that nothing is impossible under the sun.

Mokete’s clinical engineering career started at “Technikon Free State”. Upon completing his NDip, he joined Medi-Clinic hospital in Bloemfontein for his in-service training, where he learnt more about medical equipment. He became the first trainee to be afforded such an opportunity by Medi-Clinic hospital and was later appointed as a clinical technician.

“Clinical engineering is a specialised field and very few black people knew about it at the time. This somehow resonated with my ambition of studying towards medicine, but could not due to financial restrictions. My main tasks included programming, repairing, and operating medical equipment. It was challenging to be black and in that field at the time but my focus and performance gained me trust and recognition and people started to take me serious. Over time, I became the point of consultation and a source of knowledge.”

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Mokete later furthered his career as a field engineer at Folang Medical Suppliers, a black owned medical company in Limpopo. He was the only black field engineer and that pushed him to excel in his job, as he constantly had to prove a point. Folang had won a tender to maintain medical equipment for hospitals and clinics within Limpopo, so travelling the entire province and engaging with clients and users of those machines at clinics and hospital became part of his life. “I was always questioned about my career choice and how I knew about the clinical engineering field as a black person. This affirmed that my choice was the best.”

He stayed at Folang Company for two years and eventually, too much travelling caught up with him and he left. Doors later opened at unexpected places and he joined Bonesa, a Pretoria based company that was responsible for implementing the compact florescent lights (CFL) project in the Townships of Tshwane.

His craving for success and more challenges grew bigger and he finally left and re-joined Sandton Medi-Clinic as a clinical technician again. With all the experience gained, his approach and interest grew not only in clinical engineering repairs but also, he started learning more about other fields within his field. He learned about generator power, air conditioners, chillers, uninterruptable power supply, carpentry and plumbing to name a few. His ambition and eagerness to advance paid off when two years in to his new job he was recognized and promoted to a higher position as a trainee for the regional office.

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During his training, another growth opportunity as a technical manager in Kloof availed itself, but his confidence levels were too low to take him to task but his mentor at the time encouraged him to take his chance. “I decided to use the interview opportunity to gauge my knowledge, but I surprisingly got appointed. It was a giant leap to move from a low to a high position as it drew a lot of attention.” Mokete worked twice as hard to prove his worth. He remained in the position for three years and another bigger opportunity at Bloemfontein tempted him to grow even further while at the same time, it was an opportunity to relocate to his home province and in 2008, he grew to a higher responsibility as a technical manager for the biggest hospital in Medi-Clinic South Africa- Bloemfontein. His role involved sourcing and procuring medical equipment for all 52 Medi-Clinic hospitals around South Africa, including heart lung machines, cardiac catherization labs, defibrillators, operating lights, to operating tables. He grew within the position for five years and moved to even greater heights.

His current role gives him more opportunity to travel the world and interact with peers in various parts of the world, which for him means a life-long learning experience as technology improves every day. “I always make sure that whatever knowledge I gather from other countries, I share it with my team so that together we can do better to guide the hospitals on their capital equipment and source the latest medical equipment.

With more than a team of 20 technicians under his wing, Mokete ensures that his team gets constant training to remain relevant in this demanding field.

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Vuyo Kaasi and his fellow CUT Welkom campus students, Thembalethu Magubane and Zanele Fetile and their German student guide at Harz University.

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“2011 was a challenging year for me, I remember it like it was yesterday. Conditions that I found myself in, forced me to take a step back from something I was so hungry for, something that was going to be a weapon to challenge the poverty that surrounded me.”

Phillip Vuyo Kaasi completed his grade 12 in 2010 at a high school in his hometown of Philippolis in Xhariep District, Free State Province. Like any other matric learner who have just completed high school, he had dreams of becoming the person who will change his home situation, a dream to study at CUT and ultimately settle in the City of Roses, Bloemfontein but the paradox of life had other plans for him.

He first heard about the university from a friend back home and all he could fantasise about was to get the best grades, pack his bags and face his future at CUT. Unfortunately for him the future that he was dying to build after all, was not as easy as he had imagined it. His grades were not as good to secure him a place at neither his dream academic home, CUT, nor at an alternative institution. As if this was not enough, studying at CUT became his nightmare, as he failed his first attempt of selection test that left him with no choice but to step back and watch 2011 pass him by. He had no means financially, his matric results could not open the fortune doors for him either. Frustrated and disappointed, he settled for a gap year to find his footing and went back home.

Vuyo initially applied for NDip Agricultural Management, but because he failed the pre-requisite test for admission and did not have a second career choice in mind, he was doomed. He took advice from a lecturer who suggested NDip Public Management as an alternative option. The following year he made a choice that he would never regret. “I never gave up on my dream. My hopes, passion and perseverance were stronger the second time around, but I was under a lot of pressure and stress because I still had to pass the selection test again.” When Vuyo ultimately passed, he was ecstatic. Although his financial challenges did not go away, he was determined not to lose his dream again. I was hungry for education.”

He never gave up, he knocked on all doors and eventually, the one door that opened, unlocked all his fortunes. He got a bursary from Free State Department of Education that he’d applied for in 2011 and to date he does not know how he qualified for the bursary with the ‘not-so-good’ results but just thanked God for his mercy. He made a promise to himself to work twice as hard to keep the funding and make his only source of encouragement proud, his mom.

Vuyo perseveres against all odds

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He enrolled for NDip Public Management, fell head over heels with it and excelled. He used all the resources and opportunities presented to him as a student at CUT and became the best student and received meritorious bursaries each semester during his studies and the Vice-Chancellor’s award in his first year (2012). He walked the stage on his graduation day in March 2015 and graduated his NDip Public Management cum laude. He further enrolled for BTech Public Management and graduated in March 2016.

“My exceptional academic performance was somehow a token of appreciation to CUT for affording me a second chance to fullfill my dream and the Free State Department of Eduction for funding that dream. I managed to surprise myself academically which made me proud, so if I’m allowed to mention ‘don’t judge a book by its cover’. Yesterday is not the same as today and everyone deserves a second chance!”

“Recognition for my hard work and dedication as a student paid off when I got an opportunity to study in Germany as part of students exchange programme in 2015. For five months in Germany, I studied Human Resource Management, Project Management, Practical Project Management, Corporate Strategy, Cross-Culture Management and German. The exposure was breath taking and for me that was a dream accomplished.”

Vuyo is the author of “The Power behind Positive Impact” which was published in 2014 in the United Kingdom. “This was a great highlight for me, I got out of my comfort zone and took giant steps despite the uncertainties. My passion is to inspire others, either by virtue of writing or speaking. Yes I published my first book in the United Kingdom, not because I had a lot of money, I was urged by my faith. You are probably asking yourself right now “Why in the UK?” I have several reasons. Here is one: Prominent novelist Marcel Proust declared, ‘we must never be afraid to go too far, for success lies just beyond.”

The book is a reflection of his life, attempting to influence others not to give up whenever faced with impossibilities. The book however, says when faced with challenges you should cultivate and feed your faith and let your fears and disappointments starve to death. Its contents talk about his own journey and the experience of others. It puts emphasis on the fact that we ought to heed the seed of an equivalent or greater benefit in every physical pain, failure, and unpleasant circumstance, as admonished by Napoleon Hill. Vuyo said the publication was a motivation in itself, and a testimonial of the power behind positive impact “In other words, we should approach life with a positive life stance or mental attitude, not a pessimistic or negative one. The book title is inspired by a quote from an American baseball legend Jackie Robinson: “A life is not significant except for its impact on other lives.”

Whilst working on the book, he read several others of acclaimed authors such as Ralph Waldo Trine’s “In Tune With The Infinite,” James Allen’s “As A Man Thinketh,” Dr. John C. Maxwell’s “How to Influence People.” He also mentioned that his personal experience also instilled the values he needed to compile the book. “Those include the devastation of his pillar of strength and a source of inspiration, my mother, a domestic worker who struggled to put me through school and her suffering after stroke, which resulted in her losing her job. It hit me hard and I failed my grade four.”

“For every failure, physical pain, and unpleasant circumstance carries with it the seed of an equivalent or greater benefit. Martin Luther asserted, ‘If you want to change the world, pick up your pen and write.”

His gratitude goes to his mother for always believing in him, his lecturers for his academic support and the Free State Department of Education bursary for granting him the opportunity to pursue his dream.

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Above: Vuyo presented the former Vice-Chancellor and Principal , Prof. Thandwa Mthembu with a copy of his publication.Right: Vuyo at the University of the Free State book review session.

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Support services to international studentsThe welfare of international students is one of our priorities. The specific needs of our international students are addressed through orientation programmes, liaison with other support units and faculties on behalf of the students, liaison with Embassies and Consulates, liaison with health care consultants and assistance with visas and study permits.

CUT will assist full degree seeking students with:

• Application processes,• CUT admissions and administrative procedures,• Placement, programmes, research niches,• Immigration regulatory frameworks, etc.• Renewal of study permits,• Letters to facilitate opening bank accounts confirm registration and verify permission to work in South

Africa,• Supporting documentation for international students employed on campus in compliance with Home

Affairs requirements.

Arrangements for renewal of a study visa• Student should first process a police clearance certificate, which takes about six weeks.• No study visa applications will be processed based on the police clearance acknowledgement receipts (the actual police clearance is required).• Current students should start the renewal process 3-4 months prior to the expiry date of an existing study visa.• The turnaround time for a study visa application is 8 weeks.

Services offered to international visitors• Full degree seeking student,• International partnerships and exchange,• Academic exchange for staff and students,• Fellowship and scholarship opportunities.

International Office:

Administrative CoordinatorMrs Martina MossTel no. : +27(0) 51 507 3410Fax no.: +27(0) 51 507 3606mmoss@cut.ac.za

International Student Advisor (Acting Director)Mrs Cecilia SejakeTel no. : +27(0) 51 507 3885Fax no. : +27 (0) 51 507 3606msejake@cut.ac.za

International Student Support Services OfficerMr Danny BokabaTel no. : +27(0) 51 507 3912Fax no. : +27(0) 86 613 9979dbokaba@cut.ac.za

Academic Exchange/ Study Abroad CoordinatorMs Refilwe MoleyaneTel no. : +27(0) 51 507 3886Fax no. : +27(0) 86 246 9767rmoleyane@cut.ac.za

CUT has a wonderful rich sporting history dating back to the years of its establishment in the 80’s. The university continues to do so with more and more sporting legends starting great professional careers at our university.

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Mrs Zola Pieterse, graduated in 1992 with a National Diploma in Computer Data Processing. Born on 26 May 1966, maiden name Zola Budd, she bacame a middle and long distance runner. She competed at the 1984 Olympic Games for Great Britain and the 1992 Olympic Games for South Africa, both times in the 3000 metres. In 1984 (unratified) and 1985, she broke the world record in the women’s 5000 metres. She was also a two-time winner at the World Cross Country Championships (1985-1986).Budd’s career was unusual in that she mainly trained and raced barefoot. Since 2008 she has been living in South Carolina with her three children, competing at marathons and ultramarathons. She volunteers as assistant coach at Coastal Carolina University in Conway.

In 1989 Budd married Mike Pieterse. The couple have three children, daughter Lisa and twins, Azelle and Mike. On return home, Budd began racing again in South Africa. She had an excellent season in 1991 and was the second fastest woman in the world over 3000 m. Following South Africa’s re-admission to international sport she competed in the 3000 m at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, but did not qualify for the final. In 1993 she finished fourth at the World Cross Country championships, but would never translate this form on to the track. Budd published her autobiography, Zola (co-written with Hugh Eley) in 1989.Budd remains the holder of numerous British and South African records at junior and senior levels and still holds two junior world records; the mile and the 3000 m.

In South Africa today, township taxis are nicknamed “Zola Budd” for their speed. The singer Brenda Fassie (whom Time magazine called “the Madonna of the townships” in 2001) had a hit single in the 1980s with her track “Zola Budd”.

In September 2014 she visited CUT, as part of her ploughing back program. Zola took the athletes to the soccer field to conduct running clinics. During the drills, she demonstrated and shared some few tips on the dynamics behind warm-up exercises that sets the body muscles on the right tone before one embarks on a marathon.

Zola donated 15 pairs of Newton running shoes to CUT athletes as a courtesy of her USA Newton Running Development Program, which she is administering in South Africa. Currently, she is an assistant coach at Coastal Carolina University. She recently completed a master’s degree in Pastoral Counselling and she and her husband are involved in the development and marketing of Newton running shoes.

Zola Budd made global headlines in the 80s

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Jacobus Petrus “Os” du Randt (born 8 September 1972) is a former South African rugby union loosehead prop who retired as the most-capped forward in the history of the Springboks (a record since surpassed by John Smit and Victor Matfield). For most of his career, he played in the domestic Currie Cup for the Free State Cheetahs, though he spent one season with the Blue Bulls. In Super Rugby, he represented the Free State Cheetahs when South Africa sent its top Currie Cup teams to the competition instead of franchised sides, later represented the Cats franchise (now known as the Lions), spent one season with the Bulls before returning to the Cats, and still later played for the Vodacom Cheetahs. He ended his career as one of the last remaining international-level players from the amateur era of the sport and the last active member of the 1995 World Cup-winning squad. His final match was the 2007 Rugby World Cup final, which the Springboks won, with du Randt playing the entire 80 minutes. With the win, he became the first and (thus far) only South African to achieve the honour. He is among a very select group of 20 international dual Rugby Union World Cup winners worldwide.

Os (his Afrikaans nickname means Ox due to his big, muscular build ) was a powerful scrummager and a hard worker around the field. He also had very good ball-handling skills for a prop, and his defence was solid.

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Two time world cup winner from CUT

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The LegendsAndré Venter is a former Springbok rugby player who was part of the 1999 Rugby World Cup squad for South Africa.

Other Springbok rugby players are Daan Human, Gerrie Britz, Helgard Müller, Pieter Müller, Philip Smit, AJ Venter, Ashley Johnston.

Nicky Boje played in 43 tests and 115 one-day internationals for Cricket South Africa.

Other Protea cricketers are Johan van der Wath and Dillon du Preez.

Legends in the making

Trevor Nyakane is currently a Springbok rugby player and a former FNB CUT Ixias Varsity Shield tournament star.

Seabelo Senatla is currently playing in the Springbok sevens rugby team and was also appointed as the best 7-a-side player in the 7`s world tournament of 2014. He was also part of the South African sevens rugby team, who won a bronze medal at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

Dean Elgar is currently a batsman for the Proteas.

Rilee Roscoe Rossouw is a South African cricketer who also play for the Knights.

Become actively involved as a CUT alumni

Volunteering to serve on the chapter committees of CUT alumni in your different regions.

Tracing your fellow alumni and helping organize special events around the country.

Being an active member of a worldwide network of CUT professionals.

Being informed of developments at your university through the alumni newsletter and other CUT publications.

Sharing your achievements with your fellow alumni through sending news and features for inclusion in our CUT alumni newsletter via the Alumni Relations Office.

Participating in student recruitment.

Using certain CUT facilities at greatly discounted rates for you as an alumni.

Share your journey with us

Mpho Makanyane: Communications Managermmakanyane@cut.ac.za

Tel no. +27 (0) 51 507 3053

Thabo Mzamani: Alumni Officermzamanit@cut.ac.za

Tel no. +27 (0)51 507 3791Fax: +27 (0) 86 613 9979

KEEP CALM AND GRADUATE AT CUT